PREPARED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  COMPANY 


BY 


WILLIAM*  S.  MORRISS. 


In  Union  there  is  Strength.” 


PHILADELPHIA: 

FROM  THE  PRESS  OF  JAMES  H.  BRYSON, 
No.  2 North  Sixth  Street. 


1858. 


For  sale  in  Book  and  Pamphlet  Form  at  No.  2 North  Sixth  Street. 


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INSTITUTED  APRIL  5,  1836. 


A SKETCH 


THE  UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


PREPARED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  COMPANY 


WILLIAM  S.  M ORRIS  S . 


In  Union,  there  is  Strength.” 


PHILADELPHIA: 

FROM  THE  PRESS  OF  JAMES  H.  BRYSON, 
No.  2 North  Sixth  Street. 


1858. 


A SKETCH 


•p  g*  ^ ^ 2. 


OF 


THE  UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


NARRATIVE. 


There  are  many  points  of  difference  between  the  duties  of  the  historian  and 
the  annalist.  The  former,  with  elevated  vision,  scans  the  mountain  ranges  of 
life  ; the  latter,  with  a patient  spirit,  explores  the  common  walks  of  existence. 
The  former  deals  in  particulars,  in  order  that  he  may  know  how  to  form  com- 
prehensive views  of  men  and  events  ; the  latter  begins  and  ends  with  the  minute 
circumstances  which  make  up  the  sum  of  human  experience.  The  former 
traces  causes  in  order  to  relate  intelligently  their  effects  ; while  the  latter  re- 
cords both  of  these  without  regard  to  nice  distinctions  between  them.  The 
sympathies  of  the  historian  are  enlisted  in  behalf  of  illustrious  men,  brilliant 
events,  and  all  the  startling  and  magnificent  manifestations  of  national  existence 
and  development.  The  annalist  is  swept  along  by  the  under  currents  whose 
movements  he  depicts,  while  the  historian  describes  the  calms  and  storms  which 
reign  above.  The  principal  qualities  of  the  historian  are  a ready  appreciation, 
assiduity,  analysis,  comprehensiveness,  and  the  faculty  of  generalization,  to- 
gether with  a perspicuous  style  ; the  chief  merits  of  the  annalist  are  clearness, 
honesty,  industry  and  sympathy.  The  annalist  gives  us  the  heart-core  of  life  ; 
the  historian  furnishes  us  with  a scientific  summary  of  the  past.  Both  of  these 
characters  are  needed,  both  are  useful  in  their  way. 

If  there  be  a leaning  one  way  or  the  other  in  respect,  to  the  position  I now 
hold,  that  leaning,  according  to  my  apprehension,  is  to  the  side  of  the  annalist. 
But,  whatever  may  be  the  correct  view  of  this  matter,  there  can  be  but  one 
opinion  as  to  what  I ought  to  do.  You  have  requested  me  to  prepare  a sketch 
of  the  Company’s  history,  or  annals,  if  you  please,  and  to  this  task  I address 
myself  without  further  comment. 

Our  society  was  organized  under  the  name  of  “ The  Youth’s  Library 
and  Literary  Association,”  on  the  5th  of  April,  1836,  at  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Porter,  in  Elfreth’s  Alley,  at  present  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  George  M. 
Baugh,  one  of  the  earliest  members.  This  spot  may  yet  become  the  shrine 
whither  our  members  shall  repair,  when  the  Company  shall  be  invested  with 
historic  interest,  and  therefore  it  may  be  well  to  say  something  more  about  it. 
It  is  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  three  or  four  doors  above  Front 
street.  At  the  time  of  the  Company’s  organization  it  was  numbered  four,  I 


4 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


think,  but  the  recent  change  in  such  matters  has  altered  it,  and  it  is  now  num- 
ber 113.  The  meetings  were  held  in  the  second  story  back  room,  which  was 
furnished  by  Mrs.  Porter  free  of  charge.  Mrs.  Porter  was  the  mother  of 
Alfred  L.  Porter,  the  justly  esteemed  founder  of  the  Company.  Of  Mr. 
Porter’s  career  previous  to  his  connection  with  us  I have  no  knowledge,  but 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  honorable  in  every  regard.  Such  of  us  as 
enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance,  remember,  with  unaffected  emotion, 
his  goodness  of  heart,  his  breadth  of  soul,  and  his  ardent  love  of  the  good  and 
the  true.  Melancholy,  indeed,  was  the  announcement  of  his  death : and  not 
less  touching  was  the  scene  when  we  gathered  around  his  coffin,  in  the  old 
Chapel  on  Christian  street,  to  testify  our  regret  at  parting  with  one  whom  we 
had  learned  to  love  with  brotherly  affection. 

Among  the  first  associates  of  Mr.  Porter  were  William  Bradley,  Benjamin 
Allen,  C.  H.  Plummer,  Edmund  Allen,  E.  H.  Parry,  John  Gannt,  James  Bar- 
nard, Benjamin  Parry,  S.  P.  Morriss,  Furman  Sheppard,  G.  M.  Baugh  and  T. 
H.  Fenton.  All  of  them  were  very  young  at  that  time,  and  not  less  ardent 
in  their  undertaking.  Their  resources  seem  to  have  been  extremely  limited, 
when  it  is  remembered  that  the  initiation  fee  was  fixed  at  twelve-and-a-half 
cents,  and  the  weekly  dues  at  three  cents.  There  were  two  sorts  of  members 
originally,— active  and  contributing  ; a principle  that  has  all  along  been  kept 
up,  substituting,  however,  in  latter  years,  honorary  for  contributing  members. 
At  the  expiration  of  six  months,  thirty  persons  had  united  themselves  with  the 
Company,  and  the  Library  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  books, 
and  by  the  end  of  the  first  year  there  were  two  hundred  and  sixty  volumes 
upon  the  shelves.  These  indications  of  success  were  so  gratifying  to  Mr.  Porter 
that  he  took  occasion  in  his  Anniversary  Address  to  advert  to  them  as  incen- 
tives to  future  exertions.  “ We  should  keep  in  mind,”  said  he,  “ our  motto, — 

‘ In  Union  there  is  strength.’  ” 

The  exact  time  when  the  name  was  changed  to  that  of  “ The  Union  Library 
Company”  cannot  be  ascertained.  It  was,  however,  before  the  first  anniver- 
sary was  celebrated,  for  the  address  delivered  on  that  occasion  by  our  founder 
contains  the  title  under  which  we  have  flourished  so  long. 

While  treating  this  part  of  the  subject,  I would  remark  that  various  efforts 
were  made,  while  the  Company  was  in  the  full-tide  of  successful  operation,  to 
re-cast  our  name ; but  as  often  as  they  were  made  they  were  resisted  with 
great  determination,  and  finally  the  project  was  abandoned.  One  of  these  at- 
tempts proved  nearly  successful.  It  happened  that  the  President  favored  the 
change,  and  desiring  to  speak  upon  the  subject  left  the  chair,  calling  to  its  tem- 
porary occupancy  an  opponent  of  the  measure.  When  the  Chairman  was  about 
putting  the  question,  the  President  claimed  his  official  position,  but  was  met 
with  a prompt  refusal  until  the  point  was  decided.  The  contest  was  so  spirited, 
that  the  casting  vote  was  necessary  to  settle  the  controversy. 

Our  first  Anniversary  occurred  while  we  met  at  Mrs.  Porter’s,  and  it  was 
celebrated  with  becoming  spirit.  The  order  of  exercises  consisted  of  an  address 
by  Alfred  L.  Porter,  remarks  by  the  President,  C.  H.  Plummer,  reading  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  by  T.  H.  Fenton,  and  Washington’s  Farewell 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


5 


Address,  by  Edmund  Allen.  The  members  assembled  in  the  parlor  of  the 
house  alluded  to,  accompanied  by  their  friends,  their  parents,  and  the  neigh- 
bors, and  enjoyed  themselves  in  a very  agreeable  manner. 

So  encouraging  had  the  prospects  of  the  Company  become,  that  it  was 
deemed  advisable  to  select  a more  eligible  location,  and  accordingly  the  Mana- 
gers instructed  the  Purchasing  Committee,  on  the  18th  of  April,  1837.  to  engage 
Mr.  Ashton’s  school  room,  situated  on  Fifth  below  Arch  street,  for  the  use  of 
the  members.  The  room  was  secured,  and  the  Society  removed  thither  some- 
time between  the  months  of  April  and  June  of  the  year  last  mentioned.  This 
project  seemed  to  give  extraordinary  vigor  to  our  proceedings.  We  sprang 
forth  with  new  energy  in  the  noble  race  we  had  commenced.  A capacious, 
though  humble,  book  case  was  procured,  the  composition  box  was  put  into 
operation,  and  the  debates  were  characterized  by  a greater  freedom  of  utterance 
and  breadth  of  thought.  It  was  while  we  met  in  this  hall  that  we  gained  some 
of  our  most  useful  members.  We  now  began  to  attract  somewhat  of  the  public 
attention,  and  invitations  were  extended  to  us  to  join  in  the  celebration  of  the 
anniversaries  of  other  companies.  The  plan  of  the  Company  was  now  enlarged, 
so  as  to  comprehend  the  giving  of  lectures  by  its  members.  A bold  attempt  it 
was,  to  be  sure,  but,  as  the  sequel  showed,  entirely  successful.  On  the  20th 
of  October,  1838,  the  first  Committee  on  Lectures  was  appointed,  consisting  of 
G.  W.  Brown,  S.  L.  Fowler  and  W.  S.  Morriss,  and  thus  began  a system  which 
was  kept  up  until  the  Company  terminated  its  active  public  career.  Much  of  our 
success  may  be  attributed  to  this  movement.  Its  most  obvious  advantages 
were,  that  it  set  the  members  to  thinking,  to  reading,  and  engaged  them  in  the 
fascinating  study  of  composition.  Of  course  every  lecturer  was  anxious  to  do 
his  best,  and  in  his  efforts  to  please  lay  the  secret  of  his  application  to  study. 
The  delivering  of  Lectures  was  regarded  as  the  peculiar  province  of  the  mem- 
bers themselves,  and  hence  for  a long  series  of  years,  no  person,  except  he  be- 
longed to  the  Company,  was  allowed  to  take  part  in  such  exercises.  It  was 
thought,  moreover,  that  if  those  who  were  advanced  in  such  matters  were  per- 
mitted to  speak  before  us,  the  timid  would  hesitate,  if  not  refuse,  to  enter  into 
the  unequal  competition.  From  Mr.  Ashton’s  room  we  removed,  January  9th, 
1838,  to  the  north-west  corner  of  Second  Street  and  La  Grange  Place.  This 
enterprize  increased  our  responsibilities,  because  the  whole  expense  devolved 
upon  ourselves ; yet  we  entered  upon  our  new  obligations  with  unabated  zeal. 
Not  having  the  means  to  hire  help,  we  were  constrained  to  make  the  fire, 
cleanse  the  hall,  trim  the  lamps,  and  do  all  the  other  necessary  work  incident 
to  the  complete  accomplishment  of  our  purposes.  One  of  our  chief  difficulties 
was  the  want  of  furniture.  At  first  we  sat  upon  ordinary  school  benches,  but 
soon  getting  tired  of  these,  we  succeeded  in  purchasing  six  new  settees.  It 
was  considered  necessary  to  enlarge  our  book  accommodations,  but  to  buy  a 
book-case  in  addition  to  our  other  purchases  was  beyond  our  means,  and  so  the 
members  purchased  the  materials,  brought  tools  to  the  hall,  took  off  their  coats 
and  went  to  work.  The  book-case  which  they  thus  made  lasted  until  our  next 
removal.  The  first  recitations  were  given  in  the  hall  of  which  I now  speak; 
the  audience  consisted  of  a few  ladies  and  some  of  our  companions  in  labor. 


6 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


We  did  not  remain  long  at  this  place  ; but  what  led  to  the  next  change  of  loca- 
tion I cannot  at  present  recall.  We  shifted  our  quarters  next  to  the  fourth 
story  of  a building  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Sixth  below  Cherry  Street, 
owned  by  Mr.  Matthew  Newkirk,  which  we  occupied  in  the  neighborhood  of 
four  years,  at  the  rate  of  fifty  dollars  per  annum.  The  effects  of  the  Company 
were  removed  to  the  new  place  without  the  aid  of  strangers  ; and  the  wagon 
used  to  do  part  of  that  service  with  was  drawn  without  the  aid  of  horses. 
This  change  of  location  involved  us  in  fresh  expenses.  Matting  was  bought, 
new  settees  were  ordered,  a rostrum  for  the  officers  was  erected,  and  a new 
book-case  was  added  to  our  stock,  the  latter  at  an  expense  of  fifty  dollars.  In 
order  to  discharge  the  debts  we  had  incurred,  we  levied  contributions  upon  the 
members,  all  of  whom  gave  according  to  their  ability.  We  now  entered  upon 
a still  more  energetic  course.  A devotedness  which  I have  never  seen  surpassed, 
was  the  distinguishing  feature  that  marked  the  Society  under  its  new  auspices ; 
and  a steadily  increasing  roll  of  members  more  than  supplied  all  withdrawals, 
Our  lectures  and  debates  began  to  attract  a large  share  of  the  public  atten- 
tion, and  our  audiences  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  the  hall  was  at  times 
taxed  to  its  utmost  capacity.  The  stated  meetings  for  business  purposes  were 
held  monthly  on  Tuesday  evenings,  the  debates  on  Thursday  evenings,  and  on 
Saturday  evenings  books  were  given  out  to  those  who  desired  them.  The  con- 
tributions to  the  Composition  Box  were  read  on  Friday  evening,  once  in  the 
month.  In  addition  to  the  demands  which  these  various  meetings  made  upon 
our  time,  we  took  care  of  the  hall  ourselves,  and  thus  saved  what  would  have 
been  paid  to  a janitor.  For  one  purpose  or  another  the  room  was  open  nearly 
every  evening  in  the  week.  The  result  of  all  this  was,  that  friendships  were 
then  formed  which  even  now,  notwithstanding  the  vicissitudes  of  time  and  for- 
tune, are  as  fresh  as  ever.  But  a few  weeks  ago  a gentleman,  who  became  a 
member  while  we  met  in  Sixth  Street,  said  to  me,  “ I have  formed  the  acquaint- 
ance of  men  under  other  circumstances,  but  I do  not  think  as  much  of  them  as 
our  old  associates.”  During  the  period  now  mentioned  there  were  a great  many 
literary  societies  in  the  city,  and  as  a natural  consequence  there  was  a generous 
rivalry  between  them,  and  not  unfrequently  visits  were  paid  by  the  respective 
members,  either  from  motives  critical  or  curious,  or  for  the  purpose  of  partici- 
pating in  discussion.  Circumstances  will  justify  me  in  saying  that  our  reputa- 
tion was  scarcely  inferior  to  that  of  any  of  our  rivals.  As  an  evidence  of  the 
truthfulness  of  what  I say,  I will  mention  that  some  intelligent  men,  who  were 
advanced  in  years,  were  as  regular  in  their  attendance  upon  our  meetings  as 
the  members  of  the  Company.  Some  of  these  finally  attached  themselves  to 
our  fortunes,  and  did  good  service  in  our  behalf.  We  sought  to  make  the  Com- 
pany useful  in  a scientific  point  of  view,  and  for  this  purpose  endeavored  to 
establish  a cabinet  of  minerals  and  curiosities  ; but  in  this  project  we  were  not 
very  successful.  It  is  true  there  was  a collection,  but  it  was  small ; and  as 
for  the  curiosities,  if  such  they  might  be  called,  the  figure  they  cut  was  rather 
ludicrous,  consisting,  if  I remember  rightly,  of  a shark’s  jaw,  a human  skull, 
and  a toad  fish!  The  lectures  of  Mr.  Stephen  English,  on  Astronomy  and 
Geology,  which  were  very  largely  attended,  certainly  attoned  for  what  I have 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


7 


just  related.  The  first  of  these  were  delivered  when  the  celebrated  Dr.  Lardner 
was  in  the  city,  holding  forth  at  the  Chinese  Museum,  upon  the  same  subject. 

Oh  several  occasions  we  kept  up  our  patriotic  recollections  by  celebrating 
the  Fourth  of  July  in  a becoming  manner.  Once  at  the  hall  in  Filbert  street, 
above  Eleventh,  where  the  Rev.  Thomas  Stockton  preached.  The  Company 
marched  in  procession  to  the  place  appointed,  and  listened  to  addresses  by 
Furman  Sheppard  and  James  H.  Bryson.  Once  at  Bordentown,  but  of  this  I 
have  no  recollection.  Twice  at  the  Falls  of  Schuylkill.  At  the  latter  of  these, 
addresses  were  delivered  by  W.  S.  Morrtss  and  Edmund  Sterry,  and  Mr. 
Sterry  himself,  while  bathing  after  the  dinner,  narrowly  escaped  drowning. 

Washington’s  birth-day  we  used  to  observe  in  our  own  hall,  where  we  could 
conduct  our  exercises  free  of  any  additional  cost.  At  this  epoch,  our  ambition 
became  fired  with  the  thought  of  erecting  a building  suitable  to  the  purposes 
of  our  organization.  On  the  5th  of  January,  1841,  a resolution  to  that  effect 
was  adopted,  of  which  I will  give  a copy,  “ Resolved , That  a Committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  consider  the  propriety,  practicability,  and  probable  cost  of  erecting 
a hall  for  the  use  of  the  Association,  and  that  said  Committee  be  instructed  to 
examine  such  sites  as  may  be  proposed  for  its  location.”  This  Committee  con- 
sisted of  Joseph  K Helmbold,  Jr.,  H.  M.  Morriss,  T.  H.  Fenton,  T.  S.  Quin, 
Edmund  Sterry,  H.  A.  Gildea  and  G.  W.  Brown.  The  scheme  originated  with 
Mr.  Helmbold.  It  was  proposed  to  build  the  hall  by  means  of  stock,  to  be 
subscribed  for  by  any  persons  who  might  feel  inclined  to  venture  their  money 
in  the  undertaking.  The  thing  must  have  got  abroad  pretty  well,  for  I re- 
member that  a contractor  came  to  the  room  one  evening  in  order  to  inquire 
about  the  work.  Not  more  than  twenty  or  thirty  shares  were  subscribed  for, 
or  rather  offered  ; a sum  not  sufficient  to  pay  for  the  ground,  and  the  attempt 
was  given  up.  The  failures  of  men  often  evince  the  metal  they  are  made  of — 
their  very  defeats  exhibit  their  strength.  It  was  so  with  us.  It  is  my  opinion, 
and  one  which  I have  always  entertained,  that,  had  the  proper  measures  been 
taken  and  pushed  forth  with  becoming  energy,  we  might  have  succeeded  in  the 
enterprize.  Although  for  all  the  uses  of  the  Society  an  act  or  charter  of  incor- 
poration was  not  needed,  the  subject  was  broached  twice,  and  committees  ap- 
pointed to  make  inquiries  as  to  the  cost  incident  to  the  movement.  It  may  be 
questioned  whether  corporate  powers  would  have  been  of  the  slightest  advan- 
tage to  the  Company,  since  at  this  point  of  time  we  can  look  back  at  the  busi- 
ness we  had  to  transact,  and  not  find  that  we  were  at  all  hindered  in  anything 
we  wanted  to  do,  just  for  the  want  of  them. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  1842,  we  received  a communication  from  the  William 
Wirt  Library  and  Literary  Institute,  touching  the  approaching  anniversary  of 
that  society.  It  was  their  design  to  celebrate  it  by  a public  debate,  in  which 
the  members  of  other  societies  should  join.  Each  company  was  to  select  two 
persons,  one  of  whom  should  take  the  affirmative  and  one  the  negative  side  of 
the  question,  “Has  the  world  suffered  more  from  the  effects  of  ambition  than 
from  superstition  ?”  The  invitation  thus  extended  to  us  was  accepted,  and 
Furman  Sheppard  and  William  Y.  McKean  were  elected  to  represent  our  insti- 


8 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


tution.  The  debate  took  place  in  the  Universalist  Church,  on  Callowhill  above 
Fifth  street.  I was  present  but  a few  minutes,  having  an  engagement  elsewhere 
that  night,  and  I cannot  therefore  give  a particular  account  of  the  method  in 
which  the  business  was  conducted.  I believe,  however,  that  our  representa- 
tives acquitted  themselves  in  such  a manner  as  to  reflect  credit  upon  the  Com- 
pany. This  circumstance  has  been  mentioned  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that 
our  Company  was  appreciated  by  societies  of  a kindred  nature.  The  William 
Wirt  Literary  Institute  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  associations  of  the  day. 
We  were  constantly  in  the  receipt  of  invitations  from  our  contemporaries,  and 
generally,  if  not  always,  responded  with  the  frankest  feeling.  Among  these 
contemporaries,  the  Pennsylvania  Literary  Institute,  and  the  Washington  Li- 
terary Association,  still  hold  a place  in  my  recollections  ; nor  should  I fail  to 
mention  the  Jefferson,  the  Southwark,  the  Franklin,  the  Marshall  and  the  Me- 
chanics’, for  all  these  were,  in  their  day,  of  public  importance. 

The  members  of  the  Union  Library  Company  were  young  men  of  moderate 
means,  and  every  inch  of  ground  they  gained  was  got  by  hard  work.  They 
toiled  early  and  late  to  establish  themselves  in  such  a way  as  that  their  influ- 
ence might  be  felt  in  the  community.  I have  already  alluded  to  the  lectures, 
and  recitations,  and  debates  of  the  Company,  and  I will  now  advert  to  its 
library.  In  its  palmiest  days  the  library  was  not,  I confess,  what  it  should 
have  been,  considering  the  number  of  years  we  had  been  in  existence,  and  the 
causes  of  this  state  of  things  may  be  traced  to  the  fact  just  mentioned.  Yet 
earnest  efforts  were  made  to  increase  the  number  and  value  of  our  books.  For 
this  purpose,  volunteer  committees  and  appointed  committees  waited  upon  the 
citizens  of  Philadelphia. 

Donations  in  money  and  books  were  made  by  Charles  Naylor,  Townsend 
Sharpless,  William  B.  Reed,  Horace  Binney,  William  Rawle,  David  Paul  Brown, 
John  K.  Kane,  and  others.  Still,  notwithstanding  these  attempts,  the  library 
languished,  and  it  was  thought  something  more  was  required.  Accordingly  it 
was  resolved  to  get  up  a concert  in  order  to  supply  our  wants.  The  proposition 
met  with  a spirited  opposition,  so  spirited,  indeed,  as  to  call  for  the  recording 
of  the  ayes  and  nays,  but  the  motion  prevailed  by  a majority  of  eighteen  votes. 
After  the  passage  of  the  motion  a committee  of  twenty-five  was  appointed  to 
carry  out  the  intentions  of  the  Company.  The  committee  consisted  of  T.  S. 
Quin,  C.  H.  Plummer,  Furman  Sheppard,  George  W.  Brown,  Henry  Neff,  W. 
E.  Ward,  T.  H.  Fenton,  W.  S.  Morriss,  Edmund  Sterry,  M.  M’Cloud,  John  R. 
Matlack,  W.  E.  Sleeper,  Charles  Gilligan,  Edmund  Allen,  H.  A.  Gildea,  E.  E. 
Sleeper,  Benjamin  Parry,  J.  K.  Helmbcld,  Jr.,  George  M.  Baugh,  R.  McGill, 
C.  W.  Webb,  Joseph  M.  Wilson,  George  Rugan,  Jr.,  Noble  Salisbury  and  H. 
M.  Morriss.  I have  been  thus  particular  in  naming  these  gentlemen,  because 
if  the  “ laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire”  they  assuredly  earned  their  reward. 
The  Committee  immediately  organized  and  took  measures  to  discharge  the 
duties  which  devolved  upon  them.  They  were  called  the  “ Canvassing  Com- 
mittee,” but  in  process  of  time  they  were  nicknamed  the  “ canvass-back 
ducks,”  and  the  “ grand  action  committee.”  The  upper  saloon  of  the  Museum 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


9 


building  was  procured  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  forty  dollars  for  the 
evening.  Contracts  with  performers  were  made,  amounting  in  all  to  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-eight  dollars,  while  the  expenses  for  tickets,  posters,  and  printing 
amounted  to  ninety  dollars  and  twenty-two  cents.  Thus,  a company  of  young 
men  without  resources,  except  what  their  own  industry  might  evoke,  undertook 
the  task  of  paying^three  hundred  and  eighty-eight  dollars  and  twenty-two 
cents,  and  trusted  to  their  own  exertions  for  the  profit  as  well  as  the  credit  of 
carrying  the  project  through.  Circulars  were  distributed  through  the  city  so- 
liciting the  citizens  to  purchase  tickets.  For  this  purpose  the  city  was  divided 
into  districts,  and  sub-committees  were  appointed  to  canvass  them.  Some  of 
these  committees  met  with  tolerable  success,  some  with  scarcely  any,  some 
met  with  logic  instead  of  receiving  money,  some  were  repulsed  with  rudeness  ; 
but  in  spite  of  such  obstacles  the  work  went  on.  A gentleman  who  lived  in 
Arch  street,  whose  name  I do  not  remember,  on  my  calling  for  the  circular  and 
tickets  left  at  his  door,  handed  them  back  to  me,  saying  they  were  not  wanted, 
but  that  I might  look  inside,  which  I did,  and  to  my  great  delight  I found  suf- 
ficient money  therein  to  pay  for  half  a dozen  tickets.  I always  thought  well  of 
that  man  afterwards!  Every  effort  was  put  forth  to  make  the  concert  profitable. 
Even  the  posting  of  bills  and  placards  was  done  by  the  members,  who  in  the 
night  covered  every  available  fence  and  post  from  Southwark  to  Kensington, 
and  from  the  Delaware  to  the  Schuylkill  with  our  appeals.  At  length  the 
eventful  March  2d  of  the  year  1841  arrived,  and  with  it  a favorable  evening. 
The  performers  were  on  hand  and  the  audience  slowly  seated  themselves  to 
listen  to  the  entertainment.  About  twelve  hundred  persons  were  present,  many 
of  whom  had  been  furnished  with  tickets  gratuitously,  and  when  all  was  over, 
it  was  apparent  that  we  had  at  least  taken  money  enough  to  discharge  our  in- 
debtedness. The  final  report  of  the  Committee  was  not  made  until  one  year 
after  the  concert,  and  it  then  appeared  that  we  had  cleared  forty-two  dollars 
and  forty  cents.  This  was  a very  small  return  for  the  immense  labor  bestowed 
upon  the  effort,  but  it  showed  that  the  Company  knew  how  to  undertake  and 
how  to  act.  The  expenses  were  enormous,  but  they  were  such  as  enterprizes  of 
that  sort  involved  at  that  period. 

The  experience  gained  in  this  first  effort  was  made  available  subsequently 
in  managing  other  affairs  of  the  same  sort.  On  the  16th  of  December,  1843, 
a committee  was  appointed  to  get  up  another  concert.  It  was  composed  of 
W.  Y.  McKean,  H.  A.  Gildea,  H.  M.  Morriss,  J.  B.  Sheppard,  Stephen  Eng- 
lish, T.  S.  Quin,  Henry  Neff,  J.  M.  Wilson,  Benjamin  Allen,  C.  Hamilton, 
Henry  Blye,  Edmund  Sterry,  G.  M.  Baugh,  T.  H.  Fenton,  and  W.  S.  Morriss. 
The  tickets  were  sold  at  12£  cents  each,  and  were  readily  disposed  of.  The 
concert  was  held  in  the  lower  saloon  of  the  Museum  building,  called  the  Chi- 
nese Museum.  Every  thing  was  done  with  the  utmost  promptitude,  and  before 
the  close  of  the  same  month  the  concert  came  off. 

When  the  members  reached  the  vicinity  of  the  Museum,  droves  of  people 
were  seen  coming  from  that  point  and  dispersing  in  various  directions.  What 
could  all  this  mean  ? was  of  course  the  natural  inquiry.  Hardly  any  one  sup- 
posed that  the  hall  was  not  capable  of  containing  our  friends,  but  yet  such  was 


10 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


the  fact.  The  room  was  so  densely  crowded  that  numbers  of  those  who  gained 
entrance  were  unable  to  see,  much  less  find  an  opportunity  of  listening  to  the 
performances  with  satisfaction.  In  fact  the  Union’s  star  was  up,  and  it  was 
evident  that  we  had  made  a hit.  By  this  concert  we  cleared  one  hundred  and 
seventy  dollars.  The  members  were  so  elated  at  their  success,  that  on  the  2d 
of  January,  1844,  they  resolved  to  give  another  concert,  upon  the  same  plan, 
at  the  same  place,  and  for  the  same  price.  The  committee  remained  as  before, 
with  the  exception  of  II.  M.  Morriss  and  J.  B.  Sheppard,  who  resigned,  and 
in  their  stead,  W.  E.  Greble  and  Benjamin  Parry  were  appointed.  In  due 
time  the  third  concert  attracted  a large  audience.  Upon  these  two  entertain- 
ments the  Company  cleared  about  three  hundred  dollars,  which  amount  was 
mainly  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books  and  the  discharge  of  debts.  Among 
the  books  bought  were  Hallam’s  Constitutional  History,  Gillies’ Greece,  Moore’s 
History  of  Ireland,  Bakewell’s  Geology,  Crabbe’s  Synonymes,  The  Penny  Ma- 
gazine, Scott’s  Works,  Byron’s  Works,  Stephen’s  Travels  in  Yucatan,  Stephen’s 
Travels  in  Central  America,  Cooper’s  Naval  History,  Pope’s  Works,  Buffon’s 
Natural  History,  Brande’s  Dictionary,  Johnson’s  Works,  Milton’s  Works,  Plu- 
tarch’s Lives,  &c. 

Four  years  later,  still  another  concert  was  announced  by  the  Company ; the 
last  we  gave,  and  one  of  the  least  successful.  We  again  had  recourse  to  the 
distribution  of  circulars,  inviting  the  assistance  and  sympathy  of  the  public. 
I will  transcribe  one  of  these  circulars  for  the  gratification  of  the  members. 

“TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

“ Ignorance  is  the  curse  of  God ; 

Knowledge  the  wing  wherewith  we  fly  to  Heaven.” 

“ The  Union  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  composed  of  young  men  of 
various  professions,  is  one  of  the  oldest  Literary  Associations  now  in  existence 
in  the  city.  It  was  founded  April  5th,  1836  ; and  since  its  organization  up- 
wards of  three  hundred  active  members  have  been  connected  with  it.  The 
exercises  of  the  Company  are  strictly  of  a literary  character,  consisting  chiefly 
of  debates,  every  Thursday  evening  throughout  the  year,  on  subjects  intended 
to  stimulate  thought  and  research,  (excluding,  however,  partisan  and  sectarian 
topics,)  and  to  develope  whatever  capacity  for  public  speaking  may  be  possessed 
by  those  who  participate  in  the  discussions.  In  addition  to  this,  a course  of 
Lectures  is  delivered  by  the  members  of  the  Company  during  the  winter 
months.  The  audiences  attending  at  these  times  are  usually  large  and  atten- 
tive. The  Library  consists  of  eleven  or  twelve  hundred  well -selected  and 
well-used  volumes,  which  are  accessible  to  the  members  every  Saturday  even- 
ing. The  laws  of  the  Company  also  require  that  Essays  should  be  read,  and 
difficult  questions  in  history,  science,  etc.,  proposed  by  the  members  to  each 
other  for  solution.  This  has  thus  far  been  eminently  successful.  Its  members, 
it  is  thought,  have  become  more  intelligent  men  than  they  otherwise  would 
have  been,  and  are  better  prepared  to  discharge  the  high  responsibilities  of  the 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


11 


American  citizen.  It  has  also  furnished  to  the  various  professions  and  the 
walks  of  political  life,  numbers  whose  aspirations  were  first  enkindled  by  the 
zeal  with  which  its  exercises  have  been  conducted.  The  Company  is  now  de- 
sirous of  increasing  its  facilities  for  improvement  and  usefulness,  of  enlarging 
its  library,  of  procuring  philosophical  apparatus,  of  extending  its  range  of  ope- 
ration, and  of  placing  its  organization  on  a permanent  basis.  To  do  this  mo- 
ney is  requisite.  The  young  men  who  compose  the  Company  have  contributed 
all  they  are  able,  and  feeling  that  they  have  some  claim  on  the  community, 
they  appeal  to  their  friends,  to  the  lovers  of  literature,  education  and  popular 
improvement,  and  to  all  who  are  willing  to  hear  and  heed  the  warning  voice 
of  Washington,  uttered  in  his  Farewell  Address,  ‘ Promote,  as  an  object  of 
primary  importance,  institutions  for  the  diffusion  of  useful  knowledge.’  Ac- 
cordingly, as  a means  of  assistance  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  above  object, 
the  Association  propose  giving  a Concert  on  the  evening  of  Thanksgiving  day, 
(Thursday,)  November  23,  1848,  and  most  respectfully  solicit  of  their  friends, 
and  fellow-citizens  at  large,  their  support  and  patronage  in  this  good  work .” 

We  realized  about  thirty  dollars  only  by  this  undertaking.  The  smallness 
of  our  profit  was  not  the  result  of  bad  management ; it  resulted  from  the 
change  in  public  taste,  for  concerts  were  now  no  longer  popular. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1844,  (April  4,)  after  a short  time  spent  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  official  duties,  General  Harrison,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  departed  this  life,  and  the  different  Literary  Societies  of  the  city,  will- 
ing to  join  in  a public  demonstration  of  respect  to  his  memory,  resolved  to 
unite  with  other  associations  and  the  citizens  in  a parade  for  that  purpose. 
The  Literary  Societies  held  a meeting,  and  Mr.  George  Crosby  was  elected  as 
their  marshall.  Our  Company,  with  the  zeal  which  always  distinguished  its 
actions,  took  part  in  the  pageant.  The  Frankford  Band  performed  for  us  dur- 
ing the  procession,  and  received  its  compensation  by  eans  of  the  voluntary 
contributions  of  the  members.  The  funeral  solemnities,  which  were  mournful 
and  imposing,  were  interrupted  by  a heavy  rain,  that  drove  the  participants 
from  the  ranks,  and  thus  marred  the  interest  of  the  occasion.  Our  Society 
was  out  in  full  strength,  having  in  the  line  one  hundred  and  eleven  persons. 
My  recollections  will  not  permit  me  to  say  whether  we  surpassed  or  were  sur- 
passed by  the  other  associations,  and  therefore  I will  content  myself  with  what 
I have  said. 

On  the  death  of  General  Jackson  we  paraded  again,  if  not  with  the  same 
number  in  the  ranks,  certainly  with  the  same  spirit.  Political  partizanship 
did  not  then,  nor  has  it  ever  prevented  the  Union  Library  Company  from  doing 
what  it  should,  under  any  given  circumstances,  have  done.  The  same  obser- 
vation may  be  made  with  respect  to  religion.  Fortunately  the  contentions 
which  divide  the  religious  world,  and  the  disastrous  consequences  flowing  from 
them,  never  intruded  into  our  midst ; though  all  shades  of  religious  faith  were 
found  amongst  us — there  were  Presbyterians,  Catholics,  Universalits,  Luther- 
ans, Baptists,  Unitarians,  Methodists,  Quakers  and  Episcopalians.  Every 
phase  of  politics  found  its  representative — there  were  Democrats,  Whigs,  Na- 


12 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


tive  Americans,  and  Abolitionists.  With  a wise  forecast  it  was  determined 
that  “party  politics  and  sectarian  theology”  should  “be  carefully  excluded 
from  all  the  concerns  of  the  Company,”  This  kept  the  bitterness  of  political 
and  sectarian  strife  from  entering  into  the  Company,  while  at  the  same  time 
the  letter  of  the  law  was  not  so  closely  followed  as  that  all  debate  upon  subjects 
of  public  interest,  involving  politics  and  religion,  was  excluded.  This  blending 
of  political  and  religious  prepossessions,  restrained  and  tempered  by  a judicious 
law,  in  connection  with  an  almost  unlimited  intercourse  of  the  most  affectionate 
character,  has  contributed  largely  to  the  formation  of  habits  which  must  ever 
mark  the  conduct  of  the  members  of  the  Union.  Our  society  never  did,  and 
never  could,  produce  a bigot ! 

At  different  times  several  of  our  members  engaged  in  editorial  labors.  Mr. 
James  H.  Bryson,  who  removed  to  Lancaster  about  the  year  1840,  edited,  and, 
I believe,  published,  a daily,  semi-weekly,  and  weekly  newspaper  called  “ The 
Age,”  for  which  the  society  subscribed  on  the  30th  of  August,  1840,  Mr.  Jo- 
seph K.  Helmbold,  jr.,  was  concerned  in  a newspaper  called  “ The  Literary 
Pearl  and  Temperance  Repository,”  and  Charles  H.  Plummer  conducted  a reli- 
gious periodical,  named  “ The  Christian ;”  subscribed  for  by  the  Company, 
May  10th,  1847.  None  of  these  were  long  lived.  Mr.  Helmbold’s  paper  was 
encouraged  by  the  Company’s  subscription  on  the  16th  of  June,  1842. 

Becoming  dissatisfied  with  our  quarters  in  Sixth  Street,  we  appointed  Com- 
mittees at  various  times  to  select  a new  location.  After  repeated  failures  we 
at  length  fixed  upon  the  room  in  Walnut  above  Sixth  Street,  where  we  continued 
to  assemble  until  the  close  of  our  public  meetings.  The  change  involved  us  in 
a fresh  expenditure  of  money,  for  fitting  up  the  hall  in  a style  commensurate 
with  our  own  tastes  and  the  wants  of  the  public. 

The  first  meeting  at  this  place  was  held  on  the  17th  of  October,  1844.  We 
brought  with  us  to  the  new  room  the  experience  gained  by  eight  years’  constant 
labor  in  the  literary  field,  and  if  in  anything  we  were  less  zealous,  we  were 
more  matured,  and  had  a better  understanding,  therefore,  of  the  objects  to  be 
accomplished,  together  with  the  methods  to  be  pursued.  Large  privileges  were 
extended  to  gentlemen  in  attendance  upon  our  meetings,  who  were  not  con- 
nected with  the  Company.  It  was  our  earnest  wish  that  it  might  be  made  use- 
ful to  the  community,  and  hence  we  selected  such  topics  for  discussion  as  were 
of  general  importance,  and  invited  the  visitors  to  participate.  At  this  time  the 
debates  were  conducted  with  great  spirit,  and  they  were  attended  constantly 
by  attentive  audiences.  In  compliance  with  an  invitation  from  the  Irving  In- 
stitute we  agreed  to  take  part  in  a discussion  to  be  conducted  by  the  members 
of  the  respective  societies.  Nine  different  questions  for  the  debate  were  sug- 
gested by  that  association,  none  of  which  met  the  approval  of  the  Company. 
According  to  the  arrangement  between  us,  the  choice  of  a subject  was  left  to 
ourselves,  and  on  the  recommendation  of  our  committee,  the  speakers  to  be  se- 
lected were  allowed  to  choose  for  themselves.  The  Union’s  debators  were  F. 
Sheppard,  W.  Y.  McKean  and  Henry  A.  Gildea,  and  they  selected  the  question 
“ Should  the  veto  power  be  taken  from  the  President  of  the  United  States  ?” 
The  discussion  was  held  in  the  hall  of  the  Irving  Institute,  at  Fourth  and  Vine 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


13 


streets,  the  Union’s  representatives  taking  the  negative  side  of  the  debate.  As 
was  the  fashion  in  those  days,  a vote  was  taken  at  the  close  of  the  meeting 
upon  the  subject  discussed,  which  was  almost  unanimously  given  in  our  behalf. 
In  the  course  of  a few  weeks  we  held  another  discussion  with  the  same  society, 
upon  the  question,  “Do  the  Middle  Ages  deserve  the  epithet  of  ‘ Dark’  ?”  Our 
speakers  remained  the  same,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Gildea,  who  resigned, 
and  in  his  stead  W.  S.  Morriss  was  elected.  The  latter  debate  was  held  in 
both  halls  alternately,  and  gave,  I believe,  general  satisfaction.  We  never  re- 
ceived any  other  proposition  of  the  kind,  a circumstance  which  is  to  be  regretted, 
when  we  consider  the  manifest  advantages  which  accrue  from  such  affairs  when 
rightly  conducted. 

Before  leaving  the  Sixth  street  hall,  The  United  Literary  Association,  ad- 
dressed a communication  to  the  Company  in  regard  to  the  Union  of  the  two 
societies.  We  appointed  a committee  to  confer  with  theirs.  The  two  commit- 
tees met,  and  agreed  that  the  property  of  the  United  should  be  valued  at  85 
dollars.  Our  Committee  reported  these  facts  on  the  3d  of  August,  1841,  and, 
in  addition,  recommended  that  the  proposition  should  be  acceded  to,  and  that 
the  members  of  the  United  should  be  admitted  into  full  connection  with  us. 
The  report  was  accepted,  and  subsequently  a motion  was  made  that  the  Com- 
mittee be  empowered  to  purchase  the  property  at  the  valuation  set  upon  it. 
This  motion  led  to  an  animated  debate,  so  spirited,  indeed,  that  the  Company 
adjourned  until  the  following  Friday  evening  to  consider  the  matter.  After  the 
meeting  had  organized,  the  President  stated  that  the  motion  to  buy  the  property 
was  in  order,  and  the  strife  was  again  renewed.  On  the  one  hand,  it  was  argued 
that  an  accession  of  twelve  or  twenty  members,  and  the  acquisition  of  the 
effects  of  the  society  making  the  overtures,  were  advantages  which  ought  not 
to  be  lightly  regarded  ; while  on  the  other  hand  it  was  strenuously  maintained 
that  we  would  be  more  prosperous  without  complying  with  the  terms,  and  re- 
ceiving new  members  under  such  circumstances.  The  question,  however,  was 
upon  buying  the  property  only,  and  under  the  operation  of  the  previous  ques- 
tion, the  discussion  was  brought  to  a close.  So  warm  had  the  contention  been 
that  the  ayes  and  nays  were  ordered,  and  the  result  showed  that  twenty-three 
persons  voted  in  the  affirmative  and  fourteen  in  the  negative.  The  property, 
although  the  vote  was  largely  in  the  affirmative,  was  never  bought,  nor  were 
the  members  of  the  United  ever  received,  as  such,  into  our  Company.  A se- 
cond offer  of  a similar  character  was  made  by  the  Randolph  Literary  Institute, 
on  the  21st  of  September,  1848,  but  on  the  12th  of  October,  of  the  same  year, 
the  Committee  reported  that  they  had  not  been  able  to  come  to  any  satisfactory 
arrangements.  Still  later  a third  overture  was  made,  by  The  Platonian  Lite- 
rary and  Rhetorical  Institute,  and  on  the  13th  January,  1855,  the  Committee 
having  the  subject  in  hand  made  their  report,  whereupon  we  declined  the  offer 
made  to  us.  The  failure  of  these  projects  was,  in  my  opinion,  a fortunate  thing 
for  our  society.  It  hardly  seems  possible  to  unite  distinct  parties  or  sets  of 
men,  so  as  to  avoid  the  formation  of  cliques,  which  cling  to  and  support  the 
interests  most  favorable  to  themselves. 


14 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


As  an  evidence  of  the  public  spirit  of  our  Company,  I will  mention  that  when 
the  disastrous  fire  occurred  in  Pittsburg,  we  voted  twenty  dollars  to  aid  the 
sufferers  by  that  dreadful  calamity,  although  we  needed  the  money  badly  our- 
selves. In  this  connection  I cannot  forbear  mentioning  the  part  we  took  in 
reforming  the  naval  service  of  the  United  States.  About  the  year  1849,  Wat- 
son G.  Haynes,  who  had  formerly  been  in  the  service,  appeared  in  public  as  an 
advocate  of  the  abolition  of  rum  and  flogging  in  the  navy.  He  visited  the 
Union,  and  solicited  us  to  send  delegates  to  a convention,  to  be  called  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  up  a public  meeting  in  favor  of  his  movement.  He  met  with 
sympathy  amongst  us — the  Company  appointed  a delegation  consisting  of  H. 
A.  Gildea,  W.  S.  Morriss,  Wm.  Brotherhead,  W.  V.  McKean  and  J.  B.  Shan- 
non. The  result  was,  that  a public  meeting  was  held  in  the  Chinese  Museum, 
at  which  David  Paul  Brown  and  the  Rev.  John  Chambers  delivered  addresses. 
It  was  one  of  the  largest  gatherings  held  at  the  time,  and  was,  it  is  supposed, 
instrumental  in  helping  on  the  desired  reform.  If  our  Company  had  existed 
for  no  other  purpose  than  the  breaking  up  of  the  detestable  punishment  of 
flogging,  it  would  have  deserved  the  gratitude  of  those  humble  men,  whose 
lives  are  spent  upon  the  “ great  deep,”  away  from  the  comforts  of  civilized  life, 
though  not  beyond  the  reach  of  the  sympathies  of  their  fellow-citizens. 

The  effects  of  time  were  now  becoming  visible  in  the  Company.  Some  of  our 
members  had  died,  some  of  them  had  married,  while  others  had  gone  abroad 
in  search  of  fame  or  fortune,  and  the  roll  was  gradually  decreasing.  In  fact, 
the  multiplied  demands  of  business,  and  the  family  relations,  upon  the  time 
and  attention  of  such  as  remained  connected  with  us,  prevented  that  thorough 
devotion  which  distinguished  us  at  an  earlier  period.  It  soon  became  apparent 
that  the  ancient  spirit  was  gone.  Yet,  notwithstanding  all  this,  the  Company 
resisted  as  long  as  it  could,  the  final  stroke  of  dissolution.  After  repeated  at- 
tempts to  dissolve  the  society,  it  was  at  length  determined  to  alter  the  plan  of 
organization.  The  associations  of  nearly  a fifth  of  a century,  could  not  be 
broken  up  at  a blow,  and  without  a struggle.  The  Company,  therefore,  con- 
cluded to  close  its  active  career,  and  meet  annually  on  the  night  of  the  Anni- 
versary, in  order  to  join  in  celebrating  the  “ olden  time.”  The  last  meeting 
for  the  purpose  of  debate  was  held  on  the  8th  of  November,  1855. 

I have  thus  attempted  to  present  in  a connected  view,  some  of  the  principal 
events  connected  with  our  history,  and  I now  propose  to  give  fragmentary  re- 
lations of  some  topics,  which  I supposed  would  bear  that  method  of  treatment. 
The  first  of  these  I shall  call 


The  Frazee  Episode. 

Our  lamented  fellow-member,  Mr.  Stephen  English,  as  was  his  wont,  lectured 
for  us  one  evening  extemporaneously,  upon  a topic  connected  with  his  duties  as 
a teacher,  namely,  upon  Grammar.  In  the  course  of  his  observations  he  re- 
viewed a Grammar  prepared  by  Mr.  Frazee,  with  some  degree  of  freeness.  Mr. 
Frazee  himself  was  present,  although  unknown,  at  first,  to  Mr.  English,  and 
the  members  also.  At  the  close  of  the  lecture,  leave  was  given  to  any  one  who 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


15 


might  wish,  to  combat  the  views  of  the  speaker,  and  of  course  Mr.  Fra  zee  soon 
made  himself  known.  Expectation  was  now  on  tip-toe.  Our  representative 
had  thrown  himself  into  the  breach  and  was  at  once  attacked  by  his  opponent, 
who  was  supported  by  Mr.  Brown,  another  grammarian.  In  order  to  test  the 
knowledge  of  Mr.  English,  Mr.  Frazee,  while  the  former  was  lecturing,  asked 
him  to  parse  the  scriptural  sentence,  “ 0 the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the 
wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God,”  particularly  calling  his  attention  to  the  word 
“ depth,”  and  demanding  what  part  of  speech  it  was.  Mr.  English  paused  a 
moment  and  replied,  “ a noun,  sir.”  The  answer  was  so  satisfactory  that  Mr. 
Frazee  said,  “You  are  right,  sir  ; I give  you  credit  for  parsing  it  correctly.” 
The  contest  soon  grew  warm  between  the  combatants.  Mr.  Frazee  was  a keen 
debater,  and  not  at  all  backward  in  the  full  expression  of  hit.  opinions. 

The  contest  became  so  exciting  that  Mr.  Frazee  asked  for  the  use  of  the  room, 
in  order  to  review  the  remarks  of  the  lecturer.  This  was  accorded  to  him  on 
the  following  evening,  when  the  combat  was  renewed.  Of  course  the  more  the 
gentlemen  insisted,  and  argued,  and  explained,  and  doubted  and  denied,  the 
more  intent  each  of  them  became  upon  obtaining  the  victory,  until  at  length 
Mr.  Frazee  questioned  Mr.  English’s  ability  to  cope  with  him.  This  aroused 
that  gentleman’s  ire,  and  he  replied  with  spirit — “ Capacity,  indeed  ! why,  I 
will  meet  my  opponent  upon  any  topic,  from  fractions  to  fluxions !”  Still 
wishing  to  keep  up  the  battle,  Mr.  Frazee,  desired  the  use  of  our  hall  again, 
and  it  was  proffered  to  him  for  a reasonable  compensation.  This  he  declined, 
and  engaged  the  hall  of  the  Pennsylvania  Institute,  at  Eighth  and  Chestnut 
streets,  for  his  purpose.  In  due  time  the  audience  and  the  grammarians  as- 
sembled. There  was  a clever  sprinkling  of  all  ages  present,  and  all  degrees  of 
intelligence  besides.  Among  the  throng  that  night,  was  the  late  Mr.  Thomas 
Earle,  who  at  one  time  was,  if  I mistake  not,  a candidate  for  the  Vice  Presidency 
of  the  United  States.  Other  gentlemen  of  respectability  were  there,  contribut- 
ing by  their  presence  or  otherwise,  to  heighten  the  interest  of  the  meeting. 
The  members  of  the  Company  did  not  forget  that  a fellow-member  was  in  the 
toils  of  a sharp  debate,  and  they  rallied  to  his  support.  It  may  be  conjectured 
that  the  telling  points  of  our  champion’s  remarks  did  not  pass  without  vocifer- 
ous applause.  We  had  a lively  deputation  scattered  through  the  room,  willing 
and  anxious  for  the  appearance  of  victory.  At  the  time  appointed  the  struggle 
was  again  begun,  and  the  hot  shot  flew  in  every  direction.  In  the  course  of  the 
proceedings  a couple  of  our  companions  joined  in  the  fray — these  were  W.  V. 
McKean  and  H.  A.  Gildea.  The  latter  distinguished  himself  by  letting  off  an 
impromptu  pun  of  great  merit.  A gentleman  present,  or  it  may  have  been  Mr. 
Frazee  himself,  remarked  that  for  the  purposes  of  the  discussion  Mr.  English 
did  not  seem  to  possess  sufficient  calibre.  Mr.  Gildea  immediately  arose  and 
said — “About  the  point  of  calibre  I have  nothing  to  say — but  (alluding  to  Mr. 
Frazee,)  there  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  size  of  that  gentleman’s  bore.”  Little 
incidents  like  these,  which  told  in  their  way,  gave  the  proceedings  an  animated 
turn,  and  when  the  meeting  broke  up,  small  groups  of  persons  still  remained, 
discussing  the  events  of  the  evening,  and  such  collateral  matters  as  they  gave 


16 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


rise  to.  I believe  that  the  contest  closed  on  the  night  in  review.  We  had 
abundant  cause  to  believe  that  Mr.  English  did  not  suffer  in  the  debate.  I saw 
Mr.  Frazee  frequently  after  the  discussion,  but  where  he  is  now  I cannot  tell. 


Anniversary  Celebrations. 

In  common  with  societies  of  a kindred  nature,  we  celebrated  the  day  of  our 
formation  with  such  exercises  as  were  considered  proper  by  persons  of  a literary 
turn.  The  rival  institutions  of  the  time  now  spoken  of,  strained  every  nerve 
to  surpass  each  other  in  these  exhibitions.  Most  frequently  they  were  conducted 
in  churches,  and  religious  services  were  blended  with  the  literary  performances. 
Unfortunately  circumstances  did  not  favor  the  regular  periodical  observance  of 
our  natal  day,  and  therefore  I cannot  present  an  unbroken  series  of  celebrations. 
In  addition  to  this,  the  records  of  the  Company  are  not  so  perfect  as  could  be 
desired.  I have  made  diligent  search,  and  taxed  my  memory,  in  order  to  pro- 
duce the  list  I now  subjoin. 

First  Anniversary,  1837. — Order  of  Exercises , — Introductory  Remarks  by 
the  President,  Charles  H.  Plummer  ; an  Address,  by  Alfred  L.  Porter  ; Reading 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  by  Thomas  H.  Fenton ; Washington’s 
Farewell  Address,  by  Edmund  Allen. 

Third  Anniversary,  1839. — Exercises, — Introductory  Remarks  by  W.  S, 
Morriss  ; Address,  by  C.  II.  Plummer,  “Utility  of  Literary  Associations 
Address,  by  T.  H.  Fenton,  “ Our  Country  and  its  Institutions  Address,  by 
J.  K.  Helmbold,  “ Hope.” 

Fourth  Anniversary,  1840. — Order  of  Exercises, — Prayer,  by  Rev.  Asher 
Moore ; an  Address,  by  Furman  Sheppard ; an  Address,  by  T.  H.  Fenton  ; an 
Address,  by  J.  C.  McConnell. 

Fifth  Anniversary,  1841. — Order  of  Exercises,  — Prayer,  by  Rev.  T.  D. 
Cook  ; Introductory  Remarks  by  the  President,  G.  W.  Brown  ; Address,  by 
W.  Y.  McKean,  “ Our  Country  Address,  by  Furman  Sheppard,  “ Truth 
Address,  by  C.  H.  Plummer,  “Philosophy.” 

Sixth  Anniversary,  1842. — Order  of  Exercises, — Introductory  Remarks  by 
the  President,  C.  H.  Plummer;  an  Address,  by  Samuel  M.  Shute,  subject^ 
“ The  Past  and  Present ;”  an  Address,  by  T.  II.  Fenton,  subject,  “American 
Character;”  an  Address,  by  E.  E.  Hultish,  subject,  “Literature.”  At  the 
Universalist  Church,  Callowhill  street. 

Seventh  Anniversary,  1843. — The  order  of  exercises  consisted  of  a debate 
in  our  own  hall,  upon  the  subject — “ Does  Mary,  called  the  ‘ bloody,’  deserve 
that  title  more  than  her  sister  Elizabeth  ?”  The  discussion  was  conducted  by 
members  alone. 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


17 


Ninth  Anniversary,  1845. — Celebrated  by  a festival  in  the  hall  of  the 
Company. 

Eleventh  Anniversary,  1847. — Order  of  Exercises — 1st.  Opening  Address 
by  the  President,  Jeremiah  B.  Sheppard.  2d.  An  Address  by  Wm.  S.  Morriss. 
3d.  An  Address  by  Furman  Sheppard. 

Fifteenth  Anniversary,  1851. — Order  of  Exercises — Addresses  by  Wm.  S. 
Morriss,  William  Y.  McKean,  and  Furman  Sheppard. 

Twentieth  Anniversary,  1856.— Celebrated  by  a festival  or  supper  in  the 
hall  of  the  Company,  during  which  speeches  were  made  by  such  members  as 
desired  to  speak. 

Twenty-First  Anniversary,  1857. — Celebrated  in  the  hall  of  the  Company, 
in  the  manner  just  related. 

Twenty-Second  Anniversary,  April  5, 1858. — Celebrated  at  the  residence 
of  E.  E.  Hulfish.  Address  by  W.  Y.  McKean,  President.  Supper.  The 
reading  of  this  sketch  by  W.  S.  Morriss. 

I regret  exceedingly  that  I am  not  able  to  furnish  a more  correct  and  full 
account  of  these  proceedings.  Yet  the  list,  imperfect  as  it  is,  is  not  without 
interest  to  those  of  us,  at  least,  who  knew  the  Company  in  its  palmy  days. 
Let  us  cherish  the  hope,  that  as  often  as  we  shall  continue  to  assemble  at  our 
annual  gatherings,  we  may  be  found  better  and  wiser  men. 


The  Pickwick  Club. 

Though  not  a regularly  organized  affair,  the  Pickwick  Club,  such  as  it  was, 
gave  rise  to  many  scenes  of  innocent  enjoyment.  The  members  of  our  Society 
used  to  assemble  in  the  hall  at  one  time  nearly  every  evening  in  the  week,  and 
while  thus  together,  and  after  the  transaction  of  such  business  as  called  them 
there,  they  gave  vent  to  their  mirthfulness  by  various  methods.  A portion  of 
them  formed  a class  for  the  study  of  vocal  music,  and  employed  a teacher  to 
instruct  them.  Some  took  lessons  in  instrumental  music,  and  some  preferred 
recitations.  All,  however,  entered  with  spirit  into  the  conversations  which 
abounded  at  the  time.  They  saw  each  other  so  often,  and  understood  each 
other  so  perfectly,  that  they  knew  exactly  how  far  they  could  go  without  giving 
offence.  It  was  this  thoroughly  mutual  acquaintanceship,  perhaps,  that  enabled 
them  to  get  up  the  Club  I am  now  speakiug  of.  It  consisted  not  so  much  in  an 
organization,  as  in  the  appropriation  of  Pickwickian  names  to  individuals. 
The  writings  of  Mr.  Dickens  contained  so  much  genuine  humor,  and  such  cu- 
rious delineations  of  character,  that  every  body  read  and  relished  them.  There 
were  many  points  of  resemblance  between  some  of  his  characters  and  the 

2 


13 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


members  of  the  Company  ; and  the  fun  of  the  thing  consisted  in  discovering 
and  applying  to  each  person,  the  name  best  fitted  to  his  physical  or  mental 
qualities.  Yet,  it  must  be  confessed,  a few  of  these  names  were  very  poorly 
adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  employed.  I will  give  the  names 
as  they  were  used,  without  specifying  the  individuals  to  whom  they  were 
given. 

One  was  known  as  Mr.  Pickwick,  another  as  Mr.  Tupman,  another  as  Mr. 
Snodgrass,  another  as  Wardle,  another  as  Stiggins,  another  as  Smiggers,  another 
as  Sam  Weller,  another  as  Tony  Weller,  another  as  Jingle,  another  as  Job 
Trotter,  another  as  Nupkins,  another  as  Cyrus  Bantum,  another  as  Dr.  Slammer, 
another  as  Dowler,  another  as  Sergeant  Busfuz,  another  as  Mr.  Perker,  another 
as  Dodson,  another  as  Fogg,  another  as  Ben  Allen,  another  as  Bob  Sawyer, 
another  as  Joe  the  Fat  Boy,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the  chapter.  For  a long 
time  the  gentlemen  who  bore  these  respective  names,  were  addressed  by  them 
as  familiarly  as  by  their  real  names.  Those  were  happy  days.  It  is  idle,  I 
know,  to  indulge  in  vain  wishes,  but  I would  like  to  see  once  more,  in  the  flesh, 
those  who  remain  of  that  goodly  Company,  that  fifteen  years  ago  pressed  each 
other’s  hands  in  glowing  friendship. 


Questions  for  Discussion. 

Several  reasons  have  led  me  to  give  a selection  of  the  topics  debated  by  the 
members  of  the  Company.  Every  man  loves  to  “ fight  his  battles  o’er  again,” 
even  though  the  experience  of  after  years  may  have  shown  to  him  his  weak 
points  of  attack  or  defence — struggles,  I mean,  of  the  intellectual  sort,  with 
their  bloodless  victories  and  defeats.  We  have  all  in  turn  been  among  the 
vanquished  and  the  conquerors,  and  have  experienced  the  exultation  of  victory 
before  we  have  recovered  from  the  chagrin  of  previous  disasters.  Some  of  the 
questions  debated  by  us  will  continue  to  be  discussed  while  societies  like  ours 
maintain  their  footing  in  the  community.  Possibly  this  sketch  may  find  its 
way  into  institutions  of  this  sort,  and  be  of  practical  advantage  in  the  choice 
of  subjects  for  discussion.  Hence,  I will  append  the  selections  I have  made 
without  further  remark. 


Nov.  21,  1839— “Which  is  the  better  adapted  to  the  interests  of  this  Country,  a Me- 
tallic or  Mixed  Currency  ?” 

Decem.  5,  1839  — “Does  the  Greatness  of  a Nation  consist  in  its  Wealth  and  Strength  of 
Arms  ?” 

Decem.  26, 1839 — “ Does  Ambition  produce  more  Good  than  Evil  in  Society  ?” 

January  9,  1840 — “Are  Theatrical  Representations  immoral?” 

March  19,  1840 — “ Is  a Lawyer  justifiable  in  supporting  the  cause  of  a Client  whom  he 
knows  to  he  guilty  ?” 

April  9,  1840 — “ Which  could  better  be  dispensed  with,  Clergymen  or  Statesmen  ?” 

April  16,  1840 — “ Is  a Representative  bound  to  sustain  the  Principles  of  his  Constitu- 
ents ?” 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


19 


May  20,  1840 — “Are  men  more  influenced  in  their  Actions  by  the  hope  of  Reward  or 
the  fear  of  Punishment?” 

Aug.  27,  1840 — “Do  the  Moderns  excel  the  Ancients  in  Works  of  Genius  and  Art?” 

Sept.  24,  1840 — “ Which  have  sustained  the  greater  injury  from  the  Whites,  the  Blacks 
or  the  Indians?” 

October  2, 1840 — “ Are  the  mental  capacities  of  the  Male  sex  superior  to  those  of  the 
Female  sex  ?” 

Nov.  12,  1840 — “Is  the  Pulpit  a suitable  place  for  Political  Discussions  ?” 

Dec.  17,  1840 — “Has  Criticism  been  a benefit  or  an  injury  to  Literature?” 

Jan.  14,  1841 — “Which  is  the  more  important,  Ancient  or  Modern  History?” 

March  11, 1841 — “ Should  Foreigners  be  entitled  to  a Vote  before  residing  in  this  Country 
twenty- one  years  ?” 

May  27,  1841 — “Does  the  discovery  of  an  unknown  Country  by  a civilized  Power,  give 
a just  right  of  possession  ?” 

July  8,  1841 — “Is  Mob  Law  ever  justifiable?” 

July  29,  1841 — “Has  Man  a control  over  his  Religious  Opinions?” 

Aug.  26,  1841 — “ Are  all  men  created  equal  ?” 

Oct.  13,  1841 — “ Is  Eloquence  natural  or  acquired  ?” 

March  10,  1842 — “Have  the  Crusades  been  a blessing  or  an  injury  to  the  World?” 

May  26,  1842 — “ Ought  the  Right  of  Suffrage  be  Universal  ?” 

Aug.  11,  1842 — “Do  the  Scriptures  sanction  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a beverage?” 

Oct.  20,  1842 — “ Which  deserved  the  more  credit,  the  Pilgrims  who  settled  New  Eng- 
land, or  the  Emigrants  who  settled  Maryland  ?” 

Jan.  6,  1843 — “ Did  the  Necessities  of  the  times  warrant  the  execution  of  Charles  I.?” 

Feb.  2,  1843 — “Is  Labor-Saving  Machinery  a benefit  to  the  World?” 

March  23,  1843 — “Is  War  consistent  with  Christianity?” 

Jan.  22,  1843 — “Was  the  execution  of  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  justifiable?” 

Aug.  10,  1843 — “ Would  the  repeal  of  the  Legislative  Union  between  Ireland  and  Great 
Britain  promote  the  Political  and  Religious  Liberty  of  the  Irish 
People  ?” 

Nov.  30,  1843 — “Did  the  Age  of  Elizabeth  produce  greater  Geniuses  than  that  of 
Anne  ?” 

Dec.  7,  1843 — “Were  the  Monastic  Institutions  of  the  Middle  Ages  a benefit  to  their 

own  and  succeeding  Ages?” 

Jan.  18,  1844 — “Was  the  career  of  Oliver  Cromwell  productive  of  more  good  than 
evil  to  the  Human  Family  ?” 

April  4,  1844 — “Did  the  exigencies  of  the  Times  require  the  execution  of  Lady  Jane 
Gray  ?” 

Dec.  5,  1844 — “ Do  professional  avocations  require  more  talent  than  those  of  a me- 

chanical nature  ?” 

March  6,  1845 — “ Do  the  Greatness  and  Happiness  of  a Nation  depend  upon  its  System 
of  Religion  ?” 

April  3,  1845 — “ Is  a Member  of  the  Confederacy  of  the  United  States  justifiable, 
under  any  circumstances,  in  withdrawing  from  it  ?” 

April  17,  1845 — “ Is  it  probable  that  the  Human  Race  have  sprung  from  one  pair  ?” 

Aug.  7,  1845 — “ Would  it  be  better  for  Man,  morally  and  intellectually,  if  the  produc- 
tions of  the  Earth  grew  spontaneously  ?” 

Dec.  11,  1845 — “ Have  the  People  of  the  North  a right  to  interfere  with  the  existence 
of  Slavery  in  the  South  ?” 

April  30,  1846 — “ Are  there  more  evils  than  advantages  in  social  inequality?” 

June  25,  1846 — “ Has  England  been  more  just  to  her  Subjects  than  France?” 


20 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


July  23,  1846 — “ Should  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  he  abolished  ?” 

Octob.  1,  1846 — “ Can  the  immortality  of  the  Soul  be  proved  by  the  light  of  Nature  ?” 
Octoh.  22,  1846 — “Does  Civilization  increase  our  Happiness?” 

Dec.  3,  1847 — “Were  the  Religious  Houses  of  the  Middle  Ages  beneficial  tp  Society?” 
March  16,  1848 — “ Is  a large  extent  of  Territory  incompatible  with  a Republican  form 
of  Government?” 

Dec.  7,  1848 — “ Has  the  Reformation  improved  the  condition  of  the  English  People?’’ 

Nov.  22,  1849 — “Was  the  reign  of  Mary  more  free  from  abuse  than  that  of  Elizabeth  ?” 
March  28,  1850 — “ Is  the  World  more  indebted  for  its  progress  to  Statesmen  than  to 
Authors  ?” 

April  24,  1851 — “Was  the  Norman  Conquest  a benefit  to  England?” 

May  15,  1851 — “Was  the  Conquest  of  Ireland  by  Henry  II.  an  injury  to  the  Irish 
People  ?” 

Sep.  29,  1853 — “ Is  Man  the  Creature  of  Circumstances  ?” 

The  questions  above  quoted  certainly  cover  a wide  range  of  inquiry.  I wish 
that  I could  transfuse  into  these  pages  the  zeal  exhibited  in  discussing  them. 
If  they  should  not  serve  any  other  purpose  now , the  mentioning  them  will  at 
least  awaken  the  most  pleasing  recollections. 


List  op  Members. 

I have  included  in  this  table  only  such  persons  as  have  really  become  mem- 
bers of  the  Company,  and  not  those  who  have  been  elected  but  have  never  ful- 
filled the  conditions  of  membership.  Dates  have  been  given  as  far  as  possible. 


A. 

Allen,  Edmund,  April  19,  1836, 
Allen,  Benjamin,  1836, 

Armstrong,  William,  1839, 
Armstrong,  John,  October  6,  1840, 
Alcorn,  Charles, 

Abrams,  E.  S.,  October  16,  1841, 
Archer,  George, 

Archer,  John, 

Adams,  John  Q. 

Algeo,  Wm.  W.,  May  12,  1845, 
Attwood,  James  B. 

Alvord,  J.  B.,  1847, 

Allen,  Thomas  G.,  Sept.  20,  1849, 
Asay,  Wm.  H.,  April  7,  1851, 
Ahern,  Eugene,  April  22,  1853, 

B. 

Baugh,  George  M.,  1836, 

Bradly,  Wm.,  1836, 


Brown,  G.  W.,  1836, 

Barnard,  James,  1836, 

Byerly,  Elwood,  1838, 

Burr,  Mr. 

'■'•Bryson,  James  H.,  1839, 

Blaker,  Joseph,  1839, 

Bond,  Alexander,  May  5,  1840, 
Blood,  D.  O. 

Ball,  Jesse  R. 

Boyd,  David,  Jr.,  May  28,  1840, 
Bechtel,  Jacob  H.,  September,  1840, 
Butler,  John  Ross,  October  16, 1841, 
Bolton,  Everard,  January  20,  1844, 
Buck,  John  V.,  Dec.  12, 1844, 
Bradford,  A.  C.,  Feb.  27, 1845, 

~Babb,  Thomas,  July  10,  1845, 
Bennet,  J.  D.,  1845, 

Boilden,  Charles  J.,  1846, 

Brandt,  Daniel  R.,  May  7, 1846, 
Briggs,  Amos,  1846, 

Bateson,  John,  1847, 

Borden,  Theodore,  Oct.  28, 1848, 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


21 


Borden,  John,  Dec.  15,  1849, 
Borden,  Hamilton,  Sep.  IT,  1853, 
Banks,  R.  M. 

Benson,  E.  G. 

Bright,  W.  S. 

Bresee,  J.  R.,  1848, 

Britton,  S.  L.,  1848, 

Brotherhead,  Wm.,  1848, 

Bertram,  George,  Feb.  8, 1848, 
Brown,  W.  R.,  Dec.  14, 1850, 
Bartle,  Joseph  D.,  Feb.  15,  1851, 
Brunner,  Henry,  October  23, 1851, 
Badger,  Wm.  H.,  March  10,  1853. 

C. 

Conard,  J.  Hart,  1839, 

Clymer,  Daniel  R.,  1839, 

Corlies,  Britton,  1842, 

Corse,  Wm. 

Conway,  Thomas,  1842, 

Cooper,  S.  G.,  Feb.  24, 1844, 

Cope,  Richard,  “ “ 

Cope,  Wm.  T.  March  3,  “ 
Costello,  C.  A.,  Dec.  12,  “ 

Clowes,  Timothy,  May  15,  1845, 
Cobb,  J.  C.,  Sep.  4, 1845, 

Crowley,  J.  P.,  July  2,  1846, 
Campbell,  Duncan,  1846, 

Cox,  Isaac,  1847, 

Christian,  R.  S.,  1847, 

Cox,  Charles  C.,  1847, 

Carlton,  H.  P.,  1848, 

Craig,  John,  1848, 

Currier,  J.  W.,  Dec.  23,  1848, 
Campbell,  Howard,  Jan.  11,  1850, 
Comstock,  D.,  November  10, 1853, 
Crispin,  Benj.  F. 

Coyle,  Mr. 

Corriel,  W.  W.,  Dec.  30,  1852, 

D. 

Daily,  David  E. 

Daniel,  H.  H. 

Davy,  John,  June  29,  1844, 


Doran,  Charles,  May  7, 1844, 
Dithmar,  John, 

Day,  Augustus  F.,  Dec.  26,  1844, 
Dougherty,  Jas.  B.  E.  Jan.  30, 1845, 
Dougherty,  Daniel,  1845, 

Dougherty,  D.  A.,  Feb.  22,  1847, 
Dougherty,  Wm.,  Feb.  26,  1853, 
Douglass,  Geo.  W.,  May  31,  1845, 
Dalzel,  John,  Nov.  29, 1845, 

Day,  Geo.  M.,  1846, 

Duross,  C.,  1846, 

Dunn,  Wm.,  1847, 

Doherty,  Andrew,  Nov.  28,  1849, 
Douglass,  Jos.  M.,  Dec.  15,  1853, 
Dunlap,  Wm.,  1854, 

E. 

English,  Stephen,  Feb.  3,  1842, 
Evans,  N.  R. 

Evans,  W.  L.,  Jan.  18, 1845, 
Everett,  C.  D.,  Mar.  20,  1845, 
Evans,  J.  R.,  1846, 

Eady,  Joseph,  1848, 

F. 

Fenton,  Thomas  H.,  April  12,  1836, 
Fowler,  Samuel  L.,  Dec.  7,  1837, 
Fisler,  Jacob  H.,  Jan.  7,  1840, 
Fetters,  John  D. 

Foster,  Samuel, 

Fling,  Oliver  B. 

Ford,  G.  W.,  April  20,  1844, 

Ford,  Robert  H. 

Francis,  D.  P. 

Ferris,  James  D.,  May  2,  1844, 
Finch,  George  T.,  March  6,  1845, 
Farr,  John  T.,  April  5, 1845, 

Fulton,  James,  April  11,  1846, 
Freese,  J.  R.,  1847, 

Freese,  Wm.  S.,  1849, 

Fenton,  Thomas,  1849, 

Freno,  Jacob  C.,  Dec.  14, 1850, 

Fow,  Wm.,  May  9,  1853, 

Fuller,  Daniel,  Jan.  4,  1854, 


22 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


Follansbee,  G. 

Follansbee,  John. 

G. 

Gannt,  John,  1836, 

Gildea,  H.  A.,  February  13,  1839, 
Gildea,  James, 

Germon,  G.  W.,  1839, 

^Gilligan,  Charles,  1839, 

Greble,  Wm.,  1839, 

Gass,  John  H. 

Gutterman,  C.,  May  7, 1840, 
Gorman,  B. 

Grafton,  Nathan  M. 

Gravel,  George, 

Gaskell,  John,  Jan.  30  1845, 

Gillies,  Adrian,  1845, 

Gilbert,  Joseph  B.,  January  3,  1846, 
Green,  E.  M.  June  4, 1846, 

Gray,  Samuel  W.,  July  9,  1846, 
Gilman.  John  T.,  1846, 

Gray,  Robert,  1847, 

Green,  James,  1848, 

Gallagher,  A.  J.,  1848, 

Grier,  John  M.,  November  7, 1850, 
Gayley,  A.  W.,  Nov.  13,  1851, 
Griffiths,  John  J.,  Nov.  20,  1851, 
Gilbert,  Henry,  1854. 

H. 

Helmbold,  J.  K.,  Jr.,  1837, 

Hebrew,  S.  M. 

Hughes,  Amos  P.,  Oct.  31,  1839, 
Hilsee,  Gilbert  E. 

Hawkins,  Wm. 

Hanor,  Edward  H. 

-Huffish,  Ewin  E.,  1840, 

Heintzleman,  R.  B. 

Harvey,  Wm. 

Hawkins,  S.  W. 

Hardy,  Wm.  Henry,  1842, 

Hillier,  G.  W.,  Dec.  8,  1842, 

Hatcher,  J.  J. 

Horn,  H.  J.,  Nov.  16, 1843, 


Hamilton,  Charles, 

Harpur,  James,  Dec.  30,  1843, 
Hoagland,  John,  1844, 

Iloagland,  Samuel,  1844, 

Hill,  John,  1844, 

Huffish,  David,  Jan.  11,  1845, 
Harding,  S.  W.,  Jan.  25,  1845, 
Haws,  J.  G.,  March  6,  1845, 
Heveningham,  C.  S.,  1845, 

Hippie,  H.  G. 

Hahn,  John  V.,  1846, 

Hewston,  Hamilton,  1846, 

Heilig,  G.  W.,  Dec.  11, 1847, 
Haydock,  J.  B.,  1847, 

Hales,  Wm.,  1848, 

Harris,  E.  S.,  1849, 

Harris,  Joseph,  December  6,  1849, 
Hague,  H.  M.,  February  8,  1851, 
Haynes,  T.  G.,  December  13,  1851, 
Hood,  Jeremiah,  1851, 

Hook,  H.  W.,  1854, 

I. 

Illman,  Thomas,  May  8,  1845, 
Ingraham,  Asa,  1847, 

J. 

Jenkins,  W.  W.,  May  6,  1840, 
Jenkins,  E.  R.,  March  25,  1841, 
Johnson,  Thomas  R.,  1842, 

Jackson,  W.  J.,  November  23,  1843, 
Jackson,  F.  J.,  1846, 

Jennings,  R.,  March  29,  1849, 
Jeffries,  Edward. 

K. 

Knight,  David, 

Knight,  A.  ,L. 

Kerrison,  R.  M. 

Korn,  Thomas  K.,  April  4,  1845, 
Keyser,  C.  R.,  1846, 

Knox,  George,  1847, 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


23 


Kelly,  P.  F.,  November  2,  1848, 

Kutz,  H.  C.,  November  1,  1849. 

L. 

Laughlin,  Robert, 

Lyons,  Edward  W. 

Larcombe,  J.  H. 

Larcombe,  Augustus, 

Loughrey,  John,  November  23,  1844, 
Ludden,  Isaac,  November  27,  1845, 
Lord,  James,  1848, 

Lewis,  0.  M.  April  10,1851, 

Lynch,  P. 

M. 

Morriss,  S.  P.,  1836, 

Morriss,  Wm.  S.,  June  15,  1837, 
Morriss,  H.  M.,  Dec.  21, 1837, 
Marshall,  John,  1837, 

McCloud,  Malcolm,  March  15,  1837. 
McCorkle,  Thomas, 

Matlack,  J.  R. 

Mills,  William, 

McGill,  Robert,  1839, 

Matlack,  John  K. 

McNutt,  Samuel,  1839, 

McConnel,  John  C.,  Nov.  14,  1839. 
McKean,  William  V.,  April.  1840, 
Mellish,  T.  J. 

Moore,  H.  D. 

Murray,  John,  Jr. 

Moore,  Joseph, 

McElroy,  John, 

Mattson,  Thomas  W.,  Nov.  6,  1841, 
Macdowell,  Wm.  H. 

Martin,  C.  T. 

Megill,  Charles,  June  29,  1842, 
Mulligan,  Samuel,  July  5,  1842, 
McGill,  Samuel 

Myers,  Theodore,  January  25,  1844, 
Morton,  Thomas  H.,  April  18,  1844, 
McManigle,  Wm.  Aug.  3,  1844, 
McMinn,  Wm.  H.,  October  3,  1844, 
Muirhead,  John,  November  7,  1844, 
McConnel,  A.  C.,  1845, 


Morfit,  Campbell/ Jan.  15, 1846, 
McKnight,  Andrew,  1846, 

Mackey,  D.  D.,  March  5,  1846, 
McBurney,  S.  P.,  July  2,  1846, 
Mickle,  David,  1847, 

Mason,  Joseph  H.,  1857, 
McLaughlin,  Michael,  Oct.  9,  1847, 
Morris,  Alfred  L.,  1848, 

Morgan,  Evan,  1848, 

Mulford,  P.  H.,  Nov.  1, 1848, 
Maddock,  G.  C.,  1848, 

Madden,  Jeremiah,  1849, 

Madden,  John  P.,  1849, 

Murphy,  Albert  E.,  Sep.  1,  1849, 
McKenna,  F.  Dec.  29, 1849, 
McNichol,  Joseph,  1849, 

Merrick,  S.  W.,  January  10,  1852, 
McElwee,  Joseph,  Jan.  4,  1854. 
Meager,  T.  I.  1854, 

Makins,  J.  B.,  November  23,  1854, 

N. 

Neff,  Henry,  November  2,  ’37 
Neff,  Samuel,  ’39 
Newport,  B.  F. 

Nebinger,  G.  W.,  October  7,  ’43 
Nones,  S.  D.,  February  6,  ’44 
Nichol,  Wesley,  April  5,  ’45 
Nixon,  John  II.,  December  8,  ’45 
Neill,  James,  ’52 
Newbern,  John 

O. 

Owen,  Samuel  M.,  October  20,  ’49 
Owen,  Joshua  T.,  Jan.  31,  ’50 
O’Brien,  Lawrence 
Orr,  Robert 

O’Byrne,  John,  March  16,  ’50 
O’Hanlan,  Wm.,  ’53 
O’Neill,  John,  Feb.  2,  ’54 

P. 

Porter,  Alfred  L.,  April  5,  ’36 
Plummer,  C.  H.,  April  5,  ’36 


24 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


Parry,  Beniamin,  June  7,  ’36 
Parry,  E.  H. 

Parry,  Charles 

Powell,  B.  Rush 

Paulin,  Daniel 

Pepper,  Wm.,  March  2,  ’44 

Phillips,  Cyrus,  April  16,  ’46 

Pepper,  Hugh,  ’47 

Palethorpe,  Robert,  Jan.  27,  ’48 

Palethorpe,  John  H-,  Feb-  7,  ’52 

Park,  Samuel  B.,  January  15,  ’52 

Poole,  John  H.  ’54 

Q. 

Quin,  Thomas  S.  ’39 

R. 

Ragan,  George,  jr.  March  15,,  ’38 
Rankin,  George,  ’39 
Ryan,  Isaac, 

Ryan,  Davis 
Robinson,  Samuel 
Robinson,  William  S.,  Aug.  3,  ’44 
Ringwalt,  John,  ’45 
Reed,  S.  R„  March  9, 1846 
Rogers,  Wm.  B.,  May  7,  ’46 
Rogers,  James  A.,  ’47 
Rutledge,  Pascal,  ’47 
. Jteimer,  Benj.  F.  ’48 
Rose,  John  R.,  November  24,  ’49 
Ramsey,  John,  December  8,  1849 
Reakirt,  Richard 

Robinson,  R.  M.,  February  19,  ’53 
Robinson,  John,  ’54 
Riley,  Charles  J. 

Rorty,  Alexander 

S. 

Sheppard,  Furman,  ’36 
Sterry,  Edmund,  January  4,  ’38 
Swan,  M.  E.  ’39 
Sleeper,  Wm.  ’39 


Sleeper,  Edward,  ’39 
Speakman,  T.  S. 

Salisbury,  Noble 
Short,  Thomas  J. 

Stone,  Samuel  S.  ’40 
Shute,  Samuel  M. 

Scott,  John  A. 

Scott,  R.  K.,  April  28,  ’42 
Shannon,  Jacob  B. 

Smith,  F.  H. 

Snyder,  G.  R. 

Stone,  Bartle  J.  ’42 
Souder,  J.  W. 

Sheppard,  J.  B.,  November  16,  ’43 
Sheppard,  Augustus 
Stevenson,  S.  H.,  Nov.  23,  ’44 
Sharkey,  Wm.,  January  25,  ’45 
Serrill,  Thomas  A.  ’46 
Schofield,  J.  ’48 

Schrieber,  Theodore,  March  29,  ’49 
Street,  Dennis,  February  8,  ’51 
Smyth,  Isaae  S.,  ’51 
Smith,  William  N. 

Sterling,  Joseph,  jr.  April  16,  ’52 
Smith,  L.  S. 

T- 

Tomlin,  John, 

Thorn,  G.  Taylor,  August  29,  ’44 
Toohey,  J.  H.  W.  ’45 
,-«'/Tage,  Charles  R.,  January  3,  ’46 
Tibbals,  Samuel,  December  18,  ’47 
Thompson,  Robert,  ’47 
Thompson,  John  E.  ’50 
Taylor,  H. 

Tyson,  E.  A. 

Y. 

Yan  Amburgh,  N. 

Yan  Meter,  H.  L.,  August  17,  ’44 
Yan  Baun,  John  D.,  July  3,  ’51 
Yan  Cleve,  F.  A.,  February  26, '’53 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


25 


W. 

Ward,  W.  E.,  March  6,  ’38 
Ward,  R.  B. 

Ward,  J.  Parrish 

Wilson,  Joseph  M.,  October  17,  ’38 

Webb,  0.  W.  ’40 

Webb,  J.  C.  ’40 

Wright,  John,  ’40 

Wright,  James  L.,  March  7,  ’40 

Wallace,  Samuel 

Wentworth,  W.  W. 

Wiley,  John 
Walker,  W.  W. 

Willets,  C.  W.,  January  4,  ’42 
Wills,  E.  T. 

Ward,  Hiram 

Wilmot,  William  T.,  July  9,  ’42 
Wier,  John  G.,  December  15,  ’42 
Woddrop,  R.  S. 

Williamson,  William,  August  31,  ’44 


White,  John,  November  7,  ’44 
Williams,  John,  December  9,  ’44 
Witham,  Daniel,  February  20,  ’45 
Wanner,  Mahlon,  April  19,  ’45 
Whipple,  H.  0.,  November  15,  ’45 
Weber,  Rodney,  ’45 
Ward,  Allan,  ’46 
Wallin,  Robert,  ’46 
Wall,  Wm.  M.  ’47 
Wilson,  John,  jr.,  October  28,  ’48 
Wilson,  James 

Wallace,  George,  December  8,  ’48 
Wallace,  Henry,  ’48 
Wilson,  Wm.  D.,  MajT13,  ’50 
Wood,  Joseph,  jr.,  April  3,  ’51 
Watson,  H.  C.,  ’51 
Winder,  A.  B.,  ’52 

Z. 

Zebley,  Alfred,  February  1,  ’44. 


Honorary  Members. 

The  privileges  of  Honorary  members  were  the  same  as  those  of  Active  mem- 
bers, with  the  exception  that  they  were  not  allowed  to  participate  in  business 
affairs.  No  higher  honor  could  be  bestowed  upon  an  individual  connected  with 
the  Company  than  that  of  making  him  an  Honorary  member.  In  order  to  be 
advanced  to  that  position,  the  candidate  must  have  been  a member  three  years, 
and  have  labored  faithfully  for  the  society,  and  then  on  resigning  his  active 
membership  he  might  have  been  elected.  We  have  had  but  very  few  members 
of  this  description — so  guarded  has  the  Company  been  in  elevating  men  to  that 
distinguished  position. 

Of  these  members  I will  give  as  accurate  a list  as  I can  ; for  which  purpose 
I must  depend  more  upon  my  memory  than  the  records  themselves.  The  fol- 
lowing are  all  the  names  I can  recollect : 

William  Bradley,  Malcolm  McCloud, 

John  Marshall,  John  R.  Matlack, 

Samuel  P.  Morriss,  Stephen  English, 


Thomas  A.  Serrill. 


26 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


DECEASED  MEMBERS 

Alfred  L.  Porter. 

Born  September  20th,  1821 — Died  October  24th,  1840. 

The  Company  attended  his  funeral  in  a body.  As  already  intimated,  he  was 
greatly  beloved  by  the  members,  and  by  those  more  especially  who  knew  him 
best.  Towards  the  close  of  his  life  he  became  deeply  interested  in  religious 
matters,  and  preached,  I think,  occasionally.  On  his  decease  the  Company  de- 
cided to  have  an  address  prepared  and  delivered  by  one  of  the  members  touch- 
ing his  life  and  character,  and  for  that  purpose  William  S.  Morriss  was  selected. 
Mr.  Morriss  subsequently  resigned  the  appointment,  and  Thomas  H.  Fenton, 
who  was  elected  in  his  stead,  read  the  eulogy  on  the  evening  of  the  15th  of 
April,  1849. 

The  memory  of  Mr.  Porter  is  cherished  with  affectionate  regard  by  all  who 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  his  acquaintance. 


Benjamin  Parry.— Died  September,  1844. 

Mr.  Parry  was  one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  Company  up  to  the 
period  of  his  death.  He  was  of  a very  lively  disposition,  and  would  crack  a 
joke  whenever  opportunity  might  offer.  Any  one  acquainted  with  him  might 
learn  his  usefulness  among  us  by  consulting  the  minute  books,  anterior  to  the 
year  of  his  death.  His  end  was  melancholy  indeed.  In  company  with  some 
friends  he  went  upon  a gunning  excursion,  and  by  some  mishap  his  gun  dis- 
charged itself  into  his  arm  near  the  shoulder.  He  was  brought  to  the  city  and 
taken  to  the  Hospital,  for  the  sake  of  medical  advice  and  assistance.  The 
wound  afterwards  mortified  and  he  died  in  consequence.  During  his  last  ill- 
ness he  was  attended  by  a member,  or  members,  of  the  company,  and  did  not 
seem  conscious  of  his  approaching  dissolution.  A large  number  of  members 
attended  his  funeral,  which  was  conducted  according  to  the  observances  of  the 
society  of  Friends.  Peace  to  his  memory ! 


Charles  Alcorn. 

This  gentleman  was  quiet  and  unobtrusive  in  his  manners.  I cannot  state 
anything  about  his  history,  nor  when  he  died.  He  was  a reliable  member. 


Charles  R.  Tage. — Died  September,  1849. 

Very  little  is  known  about  Mr.  Tage ; not  sufficient,  indeed,  to  state  any- 
thing with  certainty. 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


27 


William  Henry  Hardy. — Died  Agust,  1843. 
Of  this  member  I cannot  remember  anything  in  particular. 


Watson  Way  Wentworth. 

Mr.  Wentworth  was  connected  with  the  Company  but  a short  time.~  He 
was  one  of  the  number  who  assisted  in  the  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July 
at  the  Falls  of  Schuylkill.  The  society  attended  his  funeral  in  a body. 


George  Archer. 

A very  active  member  during  the  early  period  of  our  existence. 


Robert  Orr,  S.  P.  McBurney, 

James  Harpur,  John  H.  Gass, 

N.  Van  Amburgh,  G.  R.  Snyder, 

Nathan  R.  Evans. 

Of  the  seven  persons  above  mentioned  I am  not  able  to  record  much  that 
would  be  interesting.  Mr.  Evans  was  the  only  one  who  took  a prominent  part 
in  the  Company.  Mr.  Snyder,  however,  was  for  a long  time  regular  in  his  at- 
tendance at  our  meetings. 


Willtam  W.  Walker. — Died  May  13, 1857. 

He  was  a member  of  the  firm  of  Lee  and  Walker,  publishers  of  music.  He 
was  a useful  member. 


Daniel  Otis  Blood. 

Mr.  Blood  was  the  founder  of  “ Blood’s  Despatch,”  which  has  now  become 
a fixed  fact  in  the  community.  He  had  great  difficulties  to  contend  with  in  his 
attempts  to  establish  what  is  now  conceded  to  be  a great  public  convenience. 
He  was  remarkable  for  his  spirit  of  perseverance. 


28 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


Thomas  S.  Quin. 

Mr.  Quin  took  a decidedly  active  part  in  the  management  of  our  concerns. 
He  was  particularly  useful  as  respects  our  concerts.  He  was  afflicted  with  an 
impediment  of  speech,  which  prevented  him  from  engaging  largely  in  debate. 

John  T.  Gilman. 

This  member  never  occupied  much  of  the  time  and  attention  of  the  society. 
At  the  time  of  his  decease  he  was  employed  in  the  office  of  the  Public  Ledger. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  amiable  men  I have  ever  known. 


John  D.  Fetters. 

Mr.  Fetters  was  a very  active  member,  though  not  a debater.  He  studied 
medicine  and  graduated  at  one  of  the  Philadelphia  Colleges,  but  did  not  long 
practice  that  honorable  profession.  I do  not  know  when  he  died. 

Edmund  Sterry. — Died  August,  1849. 

It  sometimes  happens  that  mere  words  cannot  convey  the  intensity  of  the 
heart’s  emotions.  It  was  so  in  the  case  of  the  untimely  decease  of  the  beloved 
Sterry.  His  was  a nature  frank,  generous,  and  confiding  — all  who  knew  him 
loved  him.  The  disease  which  terminated  in  his  death  did  its  work  rapidly, 
requiring  but  three  days  for  its  triumph.  I did  not  enjoy  the  mournful  pleasure 
of  uniting  with  the  members  in  rendering  the  last  tribute  to  his  memory.  The 
newspapers  of  the  day  spoke  of  his  funeral  in  very  favorable  terms.  “ He 
being  dead,  yet  speaketh.” 


William  Dunn. — Died  August,  1849. 

The  same  year  that  deprived  us  of  Edmund  Sterry,  took  from  our  midst 
William  Dunn.  Mr.  Dunn  was  a native  of  Ireland.  For  a number  of  years 
he  was  a constant  attendant  of  the  Company  before  he  became  a member. 
Finding  that  his  health  was  failing,  he  left  the  city  for  Ireland,  in  hopes  that 
he  might  be  benefitted  by  the  air  of  his  native  country.  In  this,  however,  he 
was  disappointed.  He  died  in  Ireland  in  the  year  above  noted.  He  was  an 
educated  man,  well  read,  witty  and  courteous,  as  well  as  modest  and  retiring. 


Rev.  Timothy  Clowes,  LL.  D. 

Dr.  Timothy  Clowes  entered  the  Company  about  the  period  of  the  Frazee 
Episode.  He  came  to  this  city  from  the  State  of  New  York,  where  he  had 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


29 


been  a Professor  of  Greek.  It  was  shortly  before,  or  after,  the  debut  of  Gou- 
raud  the  famous  teacher  of  Mnemonics.  Mr.  Clowes  invented  a system  which 
he  called  “ Tachymathy,”  designed  to  help  the  memory  in  respect  to  dates, 
figures,  &c.  The  Company  aided  him  as  far  as  it  could  in  bringing  him  into 
notice,  but  unfortunately  he  did  not  succeed.  He  died,  if  I remember  rightly, 
somewhere  on  Long  Island. 


J.  Hart  Conard. 

Born  at  Hartsville,  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  1818.  Died  November  28th,  1852. 

In  all  respects  Mr.  Conard  was  the  most  eccentric  man  we  have  had  among 
us.  He  was  originally  a clerk,  and  such  was  his  employment  when  he  united 
himself  with  the  Company.  In  person  he  was  thin,  and  short  in  stature,  though 
the  extreme  buoyancy  of  his  spirits  made  ample  atonement  for  his  apparent 
weakness.  I never  knew  him  to  be  dejected.  He  possessed  a military  turn, 
and  held  at  one  time  an  appointment  in  some  official  capacity  among  the  citi- 
zen soldiers.  His  name  appears  constantly  upon  the  records  of  the  association. 
Several  years  before  his  death  he  left  the  city,  and  edited  a newspaper  in  Mil- 
ford, Delaware,  where  he  died.  He  was  fully  aware  that  he  was  soon  to  close 
his  career,  for  in  conversation  with  a fellow  member,  he  said,  “ the  Doctor  tells 
me  I cannot  live,  and  I am  taking  it  easy,  walking  about  to  see  the  fashions  !” 
These  words,  falling  from  the  lips  of  any  other  man  would  have  appeared  like 
levity,  but  it  was  not  so  with  him ; he  was  incapable  of  deliberate  folly.  He 
was  interred  in  the  Odd-Fellows’  Cemetery. 

Robert  M.  Kerrison. 

Mr.  Kerrison  was  a man  of  vigorous  mind,  and  his  views  were,  in  many  re- 
spects quite  original.  He  was  a watch  and  clock  maker,  and  an  excellent  me- 
chanic in  his  way,  having  invented  a method  of  marking  time  which  was  brought 
to  the  notice  of  the  government  officials,  though  I do  not  know  whether  it  be- 
came a source  of  profit  or  vexation. 

Thomas  H.  Fenton. 

Born  in  Philadelphia,  November  2,  1821.  Died  May  11,  1856. 

The  name  of  Thomas  H.  Fenton  is  identified  with  the  history  of  the  Company. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  band  who  were  concerned  in  establishing  it,  and  his 
career  while  connected  with  it  was  in  every  way  honorable  to  himself.  By 
referring  to  the  list  of  members  it  will  be  found  that  he  joined  on  the  12th  of 
April,  1836,  one  week  after  the  organization.  He  filled,  in  the  course  of  his 
connection  with  the  Company,  nearly  if  not  all  the  various  offices,  and  at  a 
time,  too,  when  it  was  considered  an  honor  to  be  elected  to  fill  them.  As  a 


30 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


mark  of  his  popularity,  I will  mention  that  he  appeared  as  a speaker  at  the  1st, 
3d,  4th,  and  6th  anniversary  celebrations—  a distinction  eagerly  sought  for  in 
those  days.  In  addition  to  this,  he  delivered  the  eulogy  upon  Alfred  L.  Porter, 
of  which  I have  elsewhere  spoken.  At  the  time  of  his  decease  he  was  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits. 


Stephen  English. — Died  1857. 

The  lectures  on  Geology,  Astronomy  and  kindred  subjects,  delivered  before 
the.  society  by  this  gentleman,  attest  his  usefulness.  He  was  a native  of  Ireland, 
though  a cosmopolitan  in  the  just  sense  of  that  word.  Educated,  refined,  cour- 
teous, tolerant,,  he  sought,  more  than  anything  else,  how  to  live  without  offence, 
and  how  to  do  the  largest  amount  of  good  in  his  power.  He  was  a man  of  large 
information,  a pleasing  lecturer,  a ready  though  not  extremely  logical  debater, 
fond  of  repartee,  and  good  natured.  In  common  with  other  citizens  he  visited 
California  in  quest  of  fortune,  but  returned  without  accomplishing  his  desires. 
He  died  in  this  city  of  disease  contracted  in  that  distant  country. 


Benjamin  F.  Newport.— Died  Jan.  18, 1858. 

Of  Mr.  Newport  I have  not  much  to  relate.  He  was  a very  frequent  visitor 
at  the  meetings,  but  never  engaged  actively  in  the  concerns  of  the  Company. 


Amos  P.  Hughes. 

Born  March  17th,  1821.  Died  January  28th,  1858. 

When  I began  the  preparation  of  this  sketch,  I little  supposed  that  it  would 
devolve  upon  me  to  chronicle  the  departure  of  my  beloved  friend.  For  a period 
of  nearly  twenty  years  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  be  near  him,  to  see  him,  and 
to  talk  with  him  almost  constantly.  My  acquaintance  with  him  began  October 
31st,  1839,  when  his  name  was  inscribed  upon  our  books  as  a member,  and  our 
intercourse  was  ever  of  the  most  affectionate  character.  He  was  a great  favor- 
ite with  the  members  of  the  Company.  He  was  by  profession  a piano-forte 
key  maker,  but  his  ingenuity  led  him  into  other  branches  of  art.  Several  years 
before  his  decease  he  invented  a dovetailing  machine  of  remarkable  simplicity 
and  efficiency,  for  which  he  obtained  a patent.  Afterwards  he  invented  a ma- 
chine to  cut  the  keys  or  tongues  for  the  grooves,  which  was  also  patented.  He 
was  likewise  the  inventor  of  a stop  for  the  melodeon,  and  was  at  the  time  of  his 
death  engaged  in  projecting  a new  sewing  machine.  I never  encountered  any 
one  who  possessed  a more  inventive  mind.  His  mechanical  perceptions  were 
exceedingly  quick  and  accurate  ; in  short,  if  he  had  lived  under  circumstances 
more  favorable  to  his  genius,  if  he  had  received  a scientific  education,  he  would 
have  been  foremost  in  the  rank  of  public  benefactors.  This  is  not  idle  praise, 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


31 


but  deliberate  conviction,  formed  by  a close  observation  of  his  character.  He 
was  sick  but  two  or  three  weeks,  and  was  confined  to  his  bed  but  little  more 
than  one,  when  he  died.  His  funeral  was  largely  attended  by  Masonic  brethren, 
Odd- Fellows,  and  by  some  of  the  old  members  of  the  Union,  together  with  the 
friends  and  relatives  of  the  family. 

I have  thus  given  an  account  of  such  members  as  are  known  to  be  dead.  It 
is  probable  that  a large  proportion  of  the  whole  number  have  gone  to  “ the 
place  appointed  for  all  the  living,”  but  who  they  are  none  can  tell.  Trusting 
that  the  few  observations  offered  will  be  acceptable,  I quit  this  mournful  topic, 
hi  order  to  complete  a table  of  lectures  and  lecturers. 


Lectures  and  Lecturers. 


I have  already  remarked  that  the  policy  pursued  confined  the  lecture  pro* 
vince  almost  exclusively  to  our  own  members,  and  hence  I shall  only  mention 
such  as  were  delivered  by  them  ; premising,  however,  that  these  were  not  the 
only  lectures  read  by  our  companions  before  the  Company. 


Subject. 


Lecturer. 


Origin  of  Things,”  .....  Furman  Sheppard. 
: Career  of  Mahomet,”  - « 

Alexander  the  Great,”  - « 

A Defence  of  the  Ancient  Poets,”  ...  “ 

Knowledge,”  « 

: Atheism  and  Socialism,”  - « 

The  Literary  Works  of  the  Ancients  considered  ns  Models,”  “ 

The  Eye,” — Three.Lectures,  ....  « 

: Milton  and  his  Times,”  ....  « 

: Constitutional  Law,”  - .< 

The  Law  of  high  Treason  in  England,”  - « 

: The  Philosophy  of  History,”  ....  « 

' The  Dignity  of  Human  Nature,”  ...  “ 

Astronomy,”  - 
Woman,” 

The  proper  Distribution  of  Time,” 

The  Nations  of  the  East,”  .... 

The  Origin  of  Written  Language,”  ... 

The  Organic  Structure  and  Growth  of  Plants,” — Two  Lectures, 


William  Y.  McKean. 


Commerce,’ 

The  Introduction  of  Christianity  into  the  World,”  - 
Hope,” 

Influence  of  Truth,”  .... 

: Poetry,” 

The  Progress  of  Civilization,”  ... 


George  W.  Brown. 
Alfred  L.  Porter. 
J.  K.  Helmbold,  Jr. 

it 

David  Boyd,  Jr. 
William  E.  Ward. 


32 


A SKETCH  OP  THE 


Subject. 


Lecturer. 


1.  “ Hydrostatics,”  - 

2.  “Agriculture  and  Rural  Life,”  - 

3.  “Music,”  - 

4.  “Honor,”  - 

5.  “ Hydraulics  and  Hydrostatics,”  - 

1.  “ The  Study  of  Nature,”  - 

2.  “ The  Theories  of  Deluges,”  - 

1.  “Ambition,”  ------ 

2.  “Love  of  Country,”  - 
1.  “ Human  Happiness,”  - 

1.  “ Our  Country,” 

2.  « The  Moral  Sublime,”  - 

1.  “Power,”  ------ 

2.  “ Moral  Improvement,”  - 

4.  “ Pneumatics,” — Two  Lectures,  - 

5.  “Intellectual  Improvement,”  - - - - 

6.  “The  Character  of  Washington,” 

1.  “ Signs  of  the  Times,”  - 

2.  “ Life  and  Public  Services  of  Arthur  Lee,” 

3.  “ The  Early  History  of  Pennsylvania, 

4.  “ The  Influence  of  Literary  Societies  in  disseminating  Re- 

publican Opinions,”  - 

5.  “Friendship,”  ------ 

6.  “ Justice  and  its  Administration,”  - - - 

9.  “ Steam  Engine,” — Three  Lectures,  - 

10.  “ The  Capabilities  of  Human  Nature,” 

13.  “ The  Jesuits,” — Three  Lectures,  - - - - 

14.  “ The  Pathway  of  the  True  Reformer,” 

15.  “ Popular  Fallacies,”  - 

16.  “ The  Cultivation  of  the  Memory,”  - 

17.  “Titles,”  - ' - 

18.  “Names,”  . 

19.  “ On  the  Evidence  of  the  Existence  of  Deity,”  - 

1.  “ Improvement  of  the  Mind,”  - - - - 

2.  “ The  Literary  Merits  of  the  Book  of  Job,” 

1.  “ England  and  America,”  - 

2.  “ Frederick  the  Great,”  - 

3.  “ The  Alliance  between  France  and  America,” 

4.  “ Review  of  the  Doctrines  of  the  Native  Americans,” 

5.  “Freedom,”  - 

6.  “ The  Influence  of  Literary  Societies  upon  the  Political  Rela 

tions  of  the  Country,”  - 

1.  “ Character  of  Patrick  Henry,”  - 

2.  “ Roman  History,”  - 

3.  “ The  Importance  and  Influence  of  Education,” 

4.  “ The  Study  of  History,”  - 

1.  “ The  Value  of  Time,”  - 

2.  “ Animal  Magnetism,”  - 

3.  “ The  Dictator  of  Paraguay,”  - 

4.  “The  Jewish  People,”  - 

5.  “ Popular  Errors,”  - 


Jacob  H.  Bechtel. 


Alexander  Bond. 

U 

J.  H.  CONARD. 

Daniel  0.  Blood. 
Samuel  M.  Shute. 

Henry  M.  Morriss. 


William  S.  Morriss. 


Henry  D.  Moore. 


Henry  A.  Gildea. 


Thomas  II.  Fenton. 


Ewin  E.  Hulfish. 


UNION'  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


33 


Subject. 


Lecturer. 


1.  “ The  Present  State  of  Society/’  - 

2.  “ Benevolence,”  - 

1.  “ Astronomy  and  the  various  Phenomena  of  the  Heavens,” 

3.  “ Irish  History.” — Two  Lectures,  - 

6.  “Geology,” — Series,  - 

7.  “ Millerism,”  ------ 

8.  “ Grammar,”  ------ 

9.  “ Arithmetic,”  - - - - 

10.  “Punctuation,  Figures  of  Speech  and  Versification,” 

12.  “The  Sun,” — Two  Lectures,  - 

13.  “ The  Fixed  Stars,”  - 

14.  “ California,”  ------ 

15.  “ Geological  Phenomena,”  - 

16.  “Metaphors  and  Figures  of  Speech,”  - 
19.  “Astronomy,” — -Three  Lectures,  - 

1.  “ The  tendency  of  the  Drama,”  - 

1.  “Virtue  the  noblest  energy  of  Mind,”  - 

2.  “A  Defence  of  the  Drama,”  - - - - 

3.  “ Christianity,”  ------ 

4.  “ Duties  of  American  Youth,”  - - - - 

1.  “ Rise  and  progress  of  the  United  States,” 

1.  “ Physical,  Intellectual  and  Moral  Improvement,” 

2.  “Health,”  - 

1.  “ The  Law  of  Kindness,”  - - - 

2.  “ The  Cause  of  War  and  the  best  Means  of  avoiding  it,” 

3.  “A  Variety,” 

1.  “ Our  Country  and  its  future  Prospects,”  - 

2.  “ Language — its  probable  Origin,”  _ 

1.  “ Relative  Position  of  Parent  and  Child,” 

2.  “Property,”  ------ 

3.  “ Slavery,”  ------- 

4.  “ The  Rights  and  Wrongs  of  Children,” 

1.  “ Inducements  for  Unprofessional  Young  Men  to  study,” 

2.  “Habit,” 

3.  “ Patriotism,”  ------ 

1.  “ The  Poetical  Works  of  Sir  Walter  Scott,”  < - 

2.  “ The  Naval  Heroes  and  History  of  the  United  States,” 

3.  “ The  Poems  of  Mrs.  Sigourney,”  - 

4.  “ The  Life  of  Tasso,”  ----- 
1.  “The  Utility  of  Eloquence,”  - 

1.  “ Grammar,”  ------ 

3.  “ Arithmetic,” — Two  Lectures,  - 

4.  “ Tachamathy,”  - 

1.  “ Education,”  ------ 

1.  “ A Glance  at  Science  and  Philosophy,” 

2.  “Woman,”  ------- 

1.  “The  Necessity  of  Intellectual  Liberty  for  the  Cultivation 

of  Thought,”  - - - - 

1.  “ The  French  in  Algiers,”  - - - - - 


Edmund  Sterry. 

Stephen  English. 
( ( 

it 

it 

it 

it 

it 


it 


it 


E.  T.  Wills. 

Charles  H.  Plummer. 

it 

it 

John  Murray,  Jr. 
Hiram  Ward. 

it 

N.  R.  Evans. 

it 

it 

II.  J.  Horn. 

U 

R.  M.  Kerrison. 

(( 


George  Rugan,  Jr. 

it 

a 

Joseph  M.  Wilson. 

it 


U 

Isaac  Cox. 
Timothy  Clowes. 


Jamjes  D.  Bennett. 
Campbell  Morpit. 

it 


J.  H.  W.  Toohey. 
A.  C.  Bradford. 


84 


A SKETCH  OF  THE 


Subject. 


Lecturer. 


1.  u The  Influence  of  Fiction,”  - 

2.  “ The  Extension  of  Freedom,”  - 

3.  “ Perseverance,”  - 
3.  “ Gastronomy,”  - 

3.  “ Inventions — their  Influence  on  National  Character,” 

2.  **  The  Unity  of  Nature,”  - 

3.  “ Labor,”  ------- 

1.  “ The  Influence  of  Moral  and  Mental  Culture  on  National 

Liberty,”  - 

3.  “ Earnest  and  lofty  Purpose  the  Power  of  Life,”  - 

1.  “ The  Errors  of  Historians  and  Wants  of  Historical 

Readers,”  ------ 

3.  “ Introductory  Lecture,”  - 

2.  “ Human  Civilization,”  - 

3.  “ The  Poets,” 

3.  “ Oliver  Cromwell,”  - 

2.  “ American  Humbugs,”  - 

1.  “ Tobacco,  Rum,  &c.”  - 

3.  “ The  Drama,”  - 

3.  “ The  Progress  of  Science,”  - 

1.  “ Eloquence,”  - - - 

3.  “ The  Improvement  of  Time,”  - 

3.  “Literary  Enthusiasm.”  .... 

2.  “ Progress  of  Civil  Freedom,”  - 

3.  “ The  Interest  of  Man  or  Virtue  as  connected  with  Hap- 

piness, - 

3.  “Ambition.”  - - - - 


W.  J.  Jackson. 


ii 

Elwood  Byert.y. 
Joshua  T.  Owens. 

a 

P.  H.  Mulford. 

Robert  Thompson. 
II.  P.  Carlton. 


G.  W.  Heilig. 
George  Bertram. 

J.  M.  Grier. 

J.  G.  Hood. 

(( 

II.  Brunner. 

H.  C.  Watson. 
James  H.  Bryson. 
J.  C.  McConnell. 
Samuel  McNutt. 
T.  J.  Mellish. 


Thomas  S.  Speakman. 
H.  L.  Van  Meter. 


Anecdotes. 


The  facts  related  in  the  preceding  pages  are  not  the  life  of  the  Company  ; and 
I could  wish  that  all  of  the  members  might  have  been  associated  with  us  from 
the  beginning,  in  order  that  they  might  have  felt  and  known  its  spirit.  There 
never  was  a group  of  young  men  more  thoroughly  attached  to  each  other,  than 
the  gentlemen  connected  with  the  “ Union  and  they  understood  each  other 
so  well,  that  they  knew  exactly  how  far  they  could  go  in  debate  and  in  conver- 
sation without  giving  offence.  Frequently,  in  the  course  of  discussion,  scenes 
occurred  that  tested  the  strength  of  this  friendship,  and  the  accuracy  of  this 
knowledge.  On  one  occasion  Mr.  H.  A.  Gildea,  who  had  been  speaking,  took 
his  seat,  when  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Fenton  rising,  said,  quoting  the  lines  of  Goldsmith 
in  the  Deserted  Village, 


“And  still  they  gazed,  and  still  the  wonder  grew, 
That  one  small  head  could  carry  all  he  knew.” 


UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


35 


When  he  ceased  speaking  Mr.  Gildea  obtained  the  floor,  and,  altering  the  lines 
to  suit  his  purpose,  he  retorted, 

“ — And  still  the  wonder  grows, 

So  large  a head  so  little  knows.” 

At  another  time  a lively  tilt  was  run  between  Mr.  G.  M.  Baugh  and  Mr.  W. 
Y.  McKean.  The  latter  made  some  observations  which  the  former  could  not, 
on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  reply  to,  and  so,  after  the  debate,  he  said  to  Mr. 
McKean — “ I have  it  now — if  I had  only  thought  of  it  in  time,  I could  have 
smashed  you !” 

During  one  of  our  exhibitions  of  recitations  Samuel  L.  Fowler,  who  was  offi- 
ciating as  chairman  of  the  meeting,  made  a mistake  which  gave  rise  to  consider- 
able merriment.  A member  of  the  name  of  Briton  Corlies  was  to  recite 
“ Brutus’s  Harangue,”  and  when  Mr.  Fowler  announced  to  the  audience  the 
fact,  by  some  hocus-pocus  his  tongue  refused  to  pronounce  correctly,  and  he 
gave  out  — “ Courtin  Cholics  will  recite  Brutus’  hanarangue !” 

Alfred  L.  Porter  and  Thompson  Westcott  were  talking  together  about  a report, 
and  in  course  of  the  conversation  Mr.  Porter  asked  him  if  he  intended  to  put 
that  report  in  his  Waist-coat  pocket.  '‘No,”  was  the  reply,  “it  is  so  heavy 
that  I must  get  a Porter  to  carry  it  home  !” 

The  gentleman  to  whom,  in  the  Pickwick  Club,  the  name  of  Count  Smalltork 
was  given,  took  offence  at  it.  on  account,  principally,  of  the  easy  transition,  in 
sound  and  sense,  from  Smalltork  to  Smalltalk , and  supposed  it  might  be  intended 
as  a personal  allusion ; whereupon,  in  solemn  conclave  it  was  determined  to 
change  his  name,  and  substitute  for  it  Lord  Muttanhead.  The  ludicrous  per- 
version to  which  the  latter  was  liable,  made  the  former  less  objectionable  to  him, 
and  he  bore  it  with  a hearty  laugh. 

One  evening  during  debate,  H.  A.  Gildea  entered  the  hall  and  took  his  seat 
just  as  another  member  had  concluded  his  argument ; but  without  waiting  to 
know  the  posture  of  affairs  he  rose  to  speak.  A member  who  sat  by  him  (E. 
E.  Huffish,)  caught  him  by  the  skirt  of  the  coat,  and  advised  him  to  wait  until 
he  had  heard  somewhat  of  the  drift  of  the  discussion,  for  as  yet  he  knew  nothing 
about  it.  “ That ’s  just  the  time  I can  speak  the  best,”  said  Mr.  G.,  and  he 
forthwith  began  his  speech. 

“ The  thing  is  true,  in  a measure , Mr.  President,”  said  a gentleman,  in  the 
course  of  debate,  a number  of  times,  when  an  opponent  obtained  the  floor,  and 
with  comic  gravity  inquired  whether  it  was  a pint  or  a quart  measure  that  the 
member  alluded  to  ? 

A number  of  members  went  to  the  Delaware  one  evening  to  bathe,  and  Wm. 
Bradly,  who  was  prepared  for  a dive,  stood  upon  one  of  the  posts  to  which 
cables  are  fastened,  in  the  attitude  of  Napoleon  at  St.  Helena.  Presently  he 
exclaimed,  “Boys,  see  Bonaparte!”  “ Bony-part !”  said  Alfred  L.  Porter, 
“ you  had  better  say  fleshy  part!” 


36 


A SKETCH  OP  THE  .UNION  LIBRARY  COMPANY. 


Conclusion. 

In  concluding  the  task  assigned  to  me,  I must  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity 
of  expressing  my  estimate  of  the  usefulness  of  our  society.  According  to  the 
table  containing  the  names  of  the  members,  it  appears  that  about  four  hundred 
young  men  have  been  associated  with  us.  With  scarcely  an  exception  worthy 
of  note,  they  were  persons  of  very  humble  circumstances— mechanics,  clerks,  or 
store  keepers.  With  most  of  them  I was  personally  acquainted,  and  I never 
expect  to  associate  with  men  for  whom  I shall  have  a more  affectionate  regard. 
I am  not  conscious  that  any  one  of  the  number  ever  formed  an  evil  habit  while 
connected  with  the  Company,  but,  on  the  contrary,  I know  that  many  of  them 
acquired  habits  which  have  been  largely  instrumental  in  promoting  their  suc- 
cess in  life.  This  of  itself,  without  more,  is  high  praise ; this  of  itself  would 
show  that  our  labor  has  not  been  in  vain.  Let  us  judge  the  tree  by  its  fruits. 
The  Company  received  into  its  bosom  young  men  of  good  morals,  without  re- 
gard to  the  question  of  education,  and  by  the  facilities  it  afforded  enabled  them 
to  supply  the  defects  of  early  training.  In  the  course  of  time  some  of  these 
became  Physicians,  some  Lawyers,  some  Legislators,  some  Preachers,  some 
men  of  business  tact  and  energy,  and  some  Mechanics  of  the  first  rank  in  their 
vocations — self-reliant,  useful  and  respected.  What  more  could  have  been  de- 
sired or  expected  ? The  community  is  indebted  to  societies  like  ours  for  much 
of  its  conservative  spirit,  and  to  the  “ Union”  in  particular,  for  its  full  propor- 
tion. A glance  at  the  topics  discussed  before  it  will  evince  a disposition  for 
inquiry,  touching  subjects  of  interest  in  history,  politics,  religion,  literature 
and  art.  The  debates,  though  at  times  exceedingly  animated,  were  always 
tempered  with  discretion.  It  is  a matter  of  regret  that  the  Company  could  not 
longer  have  maintained  an  actively  useful  existence ; but  the  inroads  made 
upon  it  by  death,  removals  and  business,  could  not  be  repaired.  We  must 
therefore  be  content,  for  the  present  at  least,  to  meet  annually  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  olden  time. 


OFFICERS. 

[President, 

WILLIAM  Y.  McKEAN. 

"Vice  [Presidents, 

H.  A.  GILDEA,  E.  E.  HULFISH. 

Secretary-, 

W.  W.  JENKINS. 


Treasurer, 

ALEXANDER  BOND. 


. ' 7 


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